Zimbabwe: Typhoid fever outbreak ongoing in Harare /update 1

Event

On Monday, November 27, health officials announced that 1065 suspected cases of typhoid fever had been reported in the capital city of Harare since October. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the outbreak, which was first confirmed in Mbare on September 17, has spread to the city's western and eastern suburbs. Over 60 percent of cases were reported in the Mbare suburb.

Context

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi, usually contracted through ingestion of contaminated food or water, which causes fever, weakness, abdominal pain, constipation, and headache. Symptoms occur between six and 30 days after exposure to the disease. Proper sanitation and hygiene measures are critical to avoid contracting the contagious disease. Vaccines are available for specific types of typhoid fever.

Advice

Individuals in Harare are advised to practice good hygiene (wash hands frequently, etc.) and take proper precautions (only eat thoroughly-cooked foods, only drink bottled or purified water, avoid ice cubes, etc.) to avoid contracting typhoid, and to seek medical attention if experiencing the above symptoms.