KARACHI, July 25: Typhoid Fever is feared to assume alarming proportion in the city, in the backdrop of current monsoon spell, and pathetic handling of accumulated rainwater on roadside along with increasing instances of water contamination due to leakages in pipelines.
Typhoid, an acute illness caused by infection, with “Salmonella typhi” which, other wise, was also an important cause of morbidity among local children, particularly among those under five years of age, might turn epidemic, doctors maintained.
Typhoid fever, which is considered predominantly a paediatric disorder, with almost 70 per cent of all culture-proven cases occurring in children, can, however, prove equally hazardous for adults as delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment may lead to complications.
Reportedly, Salmonella typhi is exclusively transmitted from human to human and mainly spreads through oral-faecal route.
It is noticed that the fever takes a sharp surge during monsoon and delayed or deficient intervention may lead to severe diarrhoea, emphyilitis, ruptured intestine and soforth.
Studies conducted in Karachi reveal that transmission of typhoid fever was highest in areas with poor sanitation - mainly urban slums, where sewage is reported to have contaminated the potable water.
Contaminated water and food, mainly that is sold by street vendors under extremely unhygienic conditions, are generally identified as common contributory factors causing the infections.
Salmonella Typhi infections, caused due to Salmonella organisms, were also found to be the most common organisms isolated from blood samples collected in Karachi during recent years.
Studies conducted in Karachi over the years, during seasons other than monsoons, however, also identified that eating ice cream, prior use of antimicrobial, intake of unhygienic food and water may lead to exposure to Salmonella typhi.
Dr Nasim Salahuddin, president, Pakistan Infection Control Society, fears spread of fevers, including typhoid and malaria, in the city.
Talking to the APP, she urged people to ensure proper hygienic practices, with particular reference to proper and necessary washing of hands before cooking and taking food.
The infection, if not adequately treated, may lead to severe problems as perforated abdomen with infections in liver, spleen, bone marrow and gallbladder.
The latest data from Pakistan depicts multi-drug resistant (MDR) typhoid fever as a serious systemic illness in young children, which is occurring at higher incidence throughout the South Asia. According to the World Health Organization sources, typhoid fever accounts for almost 16 million cases and over 600,000 deaths annually, worldwide.—APP
