FACTSHEET: Typhoid in Zimbabwe - ZimFact
Ngoni Mhuruyengwe
September 11, 2018
Zimbabwe is battling typhoid alongside cholera after the two waterborne diseases broke out in centres around the country.
Here is a factsheet on typhoid:
Typhoid fever is an acute illness associated with fever caused by the Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi bacteria.
It can also be caused by Salmonellaparatyphi, a related bacterium that usually causes a less severe illness. The bacteria are deposited in water or food by a human carrier and are then spread to other people in the area. Humans are the only natural host and reservoir of the bacteria. Persons with typhoid fever carry the bacteria in their bloodstream and intestinal tract.
Typhoid fever is contracted by drinking or eating the bacteria in contaminated food or water. People with acute illness can contaminate the surrounding water supply through stool, which contains a high concentration of the bacteria. Contamination of the water supply can, in turn, taint the food supply. The bacteria can survive for weeks in water or dried sewage. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/typhoid-fever#1 Typhoid can cause intestinal perforation; intestinal bleeding; cholecystitis (perforation, empyema); osteomyelitis; and abscesses. It can be fatal if left untreated.
There have been sporadic typhoid outbreaks throughout Zimbabwe over the past several years.
Prevention of typhoid
Treatment of typhoid
The only effective treatment for typhoid is antibiotics. The most commonly used are ciprofloxacin (for non-pregnant adults) and ceftriaxone. Other than antibiotics, it is important to rehydrate by drinking adequate water. In more severe cases, where the bowel has become perforated, surgery may be required.
Factsheet compiled by Ish Mafundikwa, freelance journalist and media consultant.