Africa-Press – South-Africa. Durban – The National Institute for Communicable Diseases this week confirmed an outbreak of enteric fever also known as typhoid fever in the North West and Western Cape.
The NICD said typhoid is a potentially life-threatening infection.
It is caused by the bacterium Salmonella Paratyphi A, B and C.
“These bacteria only infect humans, and humans are the only reservoirs. Transmission of the infection is by the faecal-oral route – through ingesting food or water that has been contaminated with faeces of an infected person. It is a disease of poverty, because it is usually associated with a lack of clean drinking water and poor sanitation.
“The disease continues to be a public health problem in many lower and middle income countries in Africa, the Americas, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific regions,” the NICD explained.
The most characteristic symptom is a high fever which is usually prolonged, and other symptoms include fatigue, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and constipation or diarrhoea. Severe disease may occur, and can lead to severe complications which can be fatal.
The prevention and control of enteric fever
The measures to prevent and control enteric fever have long been known, and proven to be very effective. They include:
Should you find yourself experiencing any of the symptoms, you are advised to immediately seek treatment. Enteric fever is readily treatable with antibiotics, and most patients recover without complications. However, the fatality rate for patients with severe disease who develop serious complications can be up to 30%.
Preventive measures for the public include
:
IOL
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