The first case of Extensively Drug Resistant (XDR) Typhoid Fever in Australia was recently discovered in a young child returning to Sydney after visiting family in Pakistan. Typhoid Fever is a Salmonella illness picked up through ingestion of contaminated food and water. There are currently large numbers of cases in Sindh province, Southern Pakistan. This raises the spectre of antibiotic resistance more generally and highlights the increasing need for vaccination and early diagnosis to prevent further complications. While vaccination is not 100% protective it still provides very good protection. Food and water hygiene is equally important.
South Asia remains the highest risk region in the world for Typhoid and those visiting family there are at highest risk. The vaccine is usually given to those over 2 yrs of age but in high risk cases this age limit may need to be adjusted down. For more information see:
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2018/12/who-xdr-typhoid-outbreak-pakistan-tops-5200-cases
© Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.
