Two new cases of travel-related typhoid fever in Ireland

TWO cases of travel-related typhoid have been confirmed in Ireland in recent weeks as people take to the skies again after Covid-19.

The disease has been confirmed in two people who returned from overseas, the latest weekly HPSC outbreak report has revealed.

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Typhoid is a disease caused by bacteria called Salmonella Typhi.

It typically causes fever, headache, nausea, and severe loss of appetite. Cough and constipation or diarrhea may also occur.

According to the HPSC: “Typhoid fever can be a very serious disease, but antibiotics are an effective treatment. Paratyphoid is a disease caused by a similar bacterium, Salmonella Paratyphi.

“However, this bacterium generally causes milder disease, of shorter duration and with fewer complications than that of Salmonella Typhi.”

Typhoid and paratyphoid cases are common in many developing countries.

The disease is rare in Europe and North America.

Typhoid fever kills up to 161,000 people worldwide each year and causes between 11 and 20 million diseases.

Up to 10 cases of typhoid and six cases of paratyphoid are recorded in Ireland each year.

Typhoid takes between 10 and 20 days to develop in a person’s body.

The site adds: “In mild cases, the bacteria are cleared from the body quickly, the symptoms are rather mild and the course of the disease is uncomplicated. It is possible to become a healthy carrier of infection.”

“If the disease is more severe or not fully treated, there will be fever, headache and constipation. In some cases, patients have a rash with pink spots. High fever, diarrhea and confusion can develop later.”

People diagnosed with typhoid and paratyphoid may be able to spread the disease to other people.

It goes on to say: “People suffering from typhoid or paratyphoid and people who are carriers of the bacteria are eliminated S typhoid in their faeces and can possibly transmit it to other people.

“Carriers are people who have recovered from typhoid or paratyphoid but continue to carry and shed the bacteria.

“About 1 in 20 people who have had typhoid or paratyphoid will become carriers.”

There were also two cases of travel-related salmonellosis between March 27 and April 2.