Typhoid fever in Ethiopia

Getenet Beyene,John Wain,Yohannes Mengistu,Daniel Asrat,Abrham Aseffa

doi:10.3855/jidc.160

Abstract

This review focuses on the reports of salmonellosis by investigators in different parts of Ethiopia, in particular focusing on the levels of typhoid fever. Many of the reports are published in local journals that are not available online. There have been seven studies which diagnosed typhoid fever by laboratory culture and there is no coordinated epidemiological surveillance. All conducted research and reports from different health institutions in Ethiopia indicate that typhoid fever was still a common problem up to the most recent study in 2000 and that the extensive use of first-line drugs has led to the development of multiple drug resistance. In the sites covered by this review, the total number of published cases of typhoid fever dropped over time reflecting the decline in research capacity in the country. Data on the proportion of patients infected by different serovars of Salmonella suggest that the non-Typhi serovars of Salmonella are increasing. The published evidence suggests that typhoid fever is a current public health problem in Ethiopia although population based surveys, based on good microbiological diagnosis, are urgently needed. Only then can the true burden of enteric fever be estimated and the benefit of public health control measures, such as health education, safe water provision, improved food hygienic practices and eventually vaccination, be properly assessed.

Highlights

In Ethiopia, as in other developing countries, it is difficult to evaluate the burden of salmonellosis because of the limited scope of studies and lack of coordinated epidemiological surveillance systems
In Ethiopia there have been several studies conducted on salmonellosis which suggest an increase in the antibiotic resistance of Salmonella to commonly used antimicrobials in both the public health and veterinary sectors [2,3,4,5,6,7]
Paratyphi B and C isolates are reported with other serogroup B and C members and it is impossible to differentiate typhoidal from non-typhoidal salmonellae

Summary

Introduction

In Ethiopia, as in other developing countries, it is difficult to evaluate the burden of salmonellosis because of the limited scope of studies and lack of coordinated epidemiological surveillance systems. As in a developed country, to control the spread of salmonellosis, surveillance for Salmonella serovars and the assessment of antimicrobial susceptibility is essential. In Ethiopia there have been several studies conducted on salmonellosis which suggest an increase in the antibiotic resistance of Salmonella to commonly used antimicrobials in both the public health and veterinary sectors [2,3,4,5,6,7]. Paratyphi B and C isolates are reported with other serogroup B and C members and it is impossible to differentiate typhoidal from non-typhoidal salmonellae. The data is important for public health departments in the region as decisions need to be made on the implementation of vaccines against enteric fever

Objectives

Findings

Conclusion