Typhoid fever – Namibia

Two positive cases of typhoid fever have been confirmed in the capital district of Namibia. Polluted water is the most common source of transmission.

The public is urged to remain calm and comply with the control measures put in place to contain and prevent further spread of the infection

Photo: Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium – Cultured in medium

Typhoid fever, so-called enteric fever caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi, has a totally different presentation from that of the commoner kinds of salmonellosis.

It is usually spread by contaminated food or water. Typhoid fever is not a zoonosis like the more commonly seen types of salmonellosis.

Vomiting and diarrhea are typically absent but constipation is frequently reported.

The word typhoid (as in typhus-like) reflects the similarity of the louse-borne rickettsial disease epidemic typhus and that of typhoid fever; in fact, in some areas, typhoid fever is still referred to as abdominal typhus.

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