Typhoid Fever

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Browsing Typhoid Fever by Author "Laston, Treza"

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    An Investigation of Factors Associated With Recurring Typhoid Fever Epidemics in Neno by Treza Laston
    (2022-03-10) Laston, Treza
    Problem: Typhoid fever is endemic in Malawi with more than 16,000 cases per year nationwide. Malawi’s burden of typhoid is most heavily borne by children under 15 years of age. Available data shows a rise in cases following an increase in drug resistance. While typhoid is rarely fatal, the recovery is long and difficult. The disease takes time, money, and productivity from those infected and their families, and is associated with numerous, long term complications. Starting in 2013, the incidence of typhoid has significantly increased in Malawi. Neno district in Southern Malawi with a total population of about 150,000 people has experienced recurring typhoid fever epidemics. On May 2, 2009, an outbreak of typhoid fever began in rural villages along the Malawi- Mozambique border resulting in 748 illnesses and 44 deaths by September 2010. Another outbreak was reported in Neno District as reported by Nyasa Times claiming five lives and 56 suspected cases with 41 confirmed positive. Despite numerous interventions done by the Ministry of Health including distribution of Water Guard (WG) for in-home water treatment, education on safe drinking water, hand washing, personal hygiene and food safety, cases of typhoid fever have continued. This study will investigate factors associated with recurring typhoid fever epidemics in Neno and why it has affected the same district/area.