Drug-resistant typhoid fever sparks global health alarm

Typhoid fever, a disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, is becoming increasingly difficult to treat due to the rapid rise of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains.

These highly resistant forms of the bacteria are spreading quickly across the globe, particularly from South Asia, posing a serious public health threat.

Recent studies reveal that XDR typhoid strains are now resistant to several widely used antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins - drugs that were once considered the last line of defense. Genetic analysis of blood samples collected in South Asia showed that these strains have already spread across borders nearly 200 times since 1990.

Typhoid fever, which causes around 100,000 deaths annually and affects approximately 11 million people worldwide, was once treatable with a standard course of antibiotics. But the increasing prevalence of drug resistance has complicated treatment protocols, leaving fewer options for doctors and patients.

“The rapid emergence and global spread of highly resistant Salmonella Typhi is deeply concerning,” warned Dr. Jason Andrews, an infectious disease expert at Stanford University. He emphasised the urgent need to scale up preventive measures, especially in regions with high infection rates and limited healthcare infrastructure.

The warning signs have been visible for years. A notably resistant strain first surfaced in Pakistan in 2016 and quickly became the dominant type by 2019. Since then, resistance levels have continued to rise, making cases increasingly hard to treat.

Without timely medical intervention, typhoid can be fatal in up to 20% of cases. While vaccines offer a critical tool for prevention, accessibility remains a significant challenge in many parts of the world. Experts caution that without immediate action to improve vaccine coverage and monitor antibiotic resistance, the world could be facing a new and severe public health crisis.