XDR typhoid outbreak continues in Sindh

SUKKUR: Experts warned of the looming menace of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid that continues claiming new victims, terrifying a large number of people.The recent ongoing outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid fever, alarmingly is not responding to most of the antibiotics. “What if the antibiotics currently curing XDR typhoid patients lost their efficacy?” It was the main question of a seminar organised by District Health Office, Khairpur. The District Health Officer Khairpur, Dr Muhammad Hassan Abro, said the third generation antibiotics is being used against XDR typhoid and if the medicine (Azithromycin) lost its efficacy, doctors are unlikely to have any other treatment option. He showed concerns over the outspread of the infectious fever that could kill a person within two months. The doctor said water is a primary source for nurturing XDR typhoid larvae.

Dr Aftab Lashari observed that currently only two antibiotic medicines could resist against XDR typhoid infections but how long it could stand against the menace is a threatening question. Identifying the causes of the XDR Typhoid, he pointed out the use of sewage water for irrigation of vegetable and fruit crops is one of the causes of spreading the bacteria.

Director Health Sukkur, Dr Agha Samiullah, strictly advised people to drink boiled-water to get protected from the bacteria causing typhoid. He also suggested to take immediate medical assistance to get the disease diagnosed as early as possible, if any of the symptoms appeared.

According to the DHO, the consumption of fast food was another reason of XDR typhoid, adding the anti-typhoid drive was initiated and continued for 12 days across Sindh including District Khairpur.