NIH Asks Citizens To Take Preventive Measures Against Typhoid

ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Aug, 2018 ) :The Field Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Division (FEDSD), National Institute of Health (NIH) Wednesday issued an advisory on control of typhoid fever.

According to NIH, viewing situation of increased number of typhoid fever cases in the country, the Institute has issued advisory on typhoid fever.

It said typhoid fever spread mostly in summer and rainy season in Pakistan.

It added typhoid caused by bacteria, (Salmonella Typhi) which occurs through feco-oral route and spread through contaminated food, milk, frozen fruits and water or through close contact with already infected person.

Contamination mainly caused by poor sanitation and mixing of sewerage in drinking water.

It said that newly emerged form of typhoid fever, extensively drug resistant (XDR) Typhoid is being reported in some areas of Sindh province, especially in Hyderabad and Karachi.

There are more than 2000 positive cases of XDR Typhoid have been reported so far.

The advisory suggested to adopt preventive measures in routine life to avoid such kind of infections.

It advised to wash hand properly and restore hand hygiene condition in routine life, avoid eating raw food and vegetables and always drink boiled drinking water.

It added typhoid vaccine is available in Pakistan and people should also administer typhoid vaccine after consultation with doctor.

The advisory said that the NIH had disseminated awareness material about these disease for general population, health sector stakeholders and all provincial authorities.

The institute also displayed the poster advisories in urdu language in public places.