The rising antimicrobial resistance is a global problem, especially for highly contagious diseases like typhoid. The global disease load of typhoid is higher than 14 million, with 135,000 deaths per year. Primarily, the treatment of typhoid is antimicrobials, but the rising resistance to the available first-line antimicrobials has made treating typhoid difficult. Child specialist in Lahore and the rest of the Pakistan are facing a new form of superbug that is extremely difficult to treat. Read on to know more about drug resistant typhoid:
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Why is Typhoid a Growing Threat?
The first-line antibiotics for typhoid treatment, since the 1940s were—chloramphenicol, co-trimoxazole and ampicillin. The first strain of typhoid resistant to these first line agents appeared soon thereafter in 1970 and spread through parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. As a result, fluoroquinolones became the preferred treatment option in 1990s.
In 2016, researchers found a highly resistant strain of typhoid—extensively drug-resistant typhoid (XDR)—prevalent in Pakistan, which is resistant to chloramphenicol, streptomycin, cotrimoxazole, fluoroquinolones and even third-generation cephalosporins. The outbreak of this XDR has resulted in a high mortality rate, and spread to many countries.
The only oral antibiotic that’s effective again this form of typhoid is azithromycin. The worrisome fact is even azithromycin is now facing resistance with passing time. This could mean that soon, many low-income countries would be unable to deal with XDR-typhoid.
How to Deal with XDR-Typhoid?
Prevention is a Proven Tool
Instead of dealing with the disease, it’s better and easier to seek preventive measures. Typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs) are available for children as young as six months who are living in, or traveling to the regions with XDR strains. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all travelers to South Asia, even those going for a short visit, to get vaccinated with TCVs before going.
There are two forms of the vaccine—oral and injectable—which can be taken at least a week before the departure. The vaccine can limit the spread of disease and also limit the resistance of the bug against antibiotics.
Improved Sanitation
Typhoid spreads through contaminated food and water. Practicing safe drinking and eating habits, like eating properly cooked food, and drinking boiled water, washing hands before eating can reduce the chances of infection.
Countries like Pakistan who are facing XDR-typhoid have launched local campaigns to raise awareness in the masses regarding the importance of safe drinking and eating habits. Additionally, the authorities have set up many filtration plants and purification centers to provide clean water to the public. The government has also raised awareness regarding vaccination, and upward of 124,000 children have been vaccinated so far. The goal is to limit the spread of disease to reduce the burden, as well as prevent further spread of the drug resistant strain.
Locally, the government has set up a task force for surveillance and to deal with the rising cases. Clinicians are also updated regarding the use of antibiotics, so they have access to effective drugs to deal with XDR-typhoid.
Be sure to ask your healthcare provider or Child specialist in Islamabad about typhoid vaccine for your children.
