Typhoid Outbreak Linked to Samoa

An outbreak of typhoid in Porirua is not linked to a cluster of cases in Clendon, South Auckland, last month.

Three people have been treated for typhoid in Porirua and those cases were linked to each other, Dr Annette Nesdale, medical officer of health, regional public health, Wellington, said last night.

She said regional public health was investigating the outbreak which was being treated very seriously.

Two of the cases were in late January and one was early this month. They involved a male and two females.

"Two of the cases are within one family and one case is in another family," Dr Nesdale said.

"They're not directly known to each other but the most likely source of infection was that they had all eaten some food that came from Samoa with a returning traveller."

She said the cases were not linked to the cases in Clendon, South Auckland, last month. "We've looked at the bacteria and the strains are different types," Dr Nesdale said.

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"We're aware from our Pacific health networks that there is a lot of typhoid in Samoa, so travellers going to Samoa have to be particularly aware."

She suggested that people intending to visit Samoa should consider visiting their GP for a typhoid vaccination.

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Symptoms of typhoid could include high fever, sweats, aches and pains and a rash on the stomach.

It could take 30 days from being exposed to developing the symptoms.

Source-Bio-Bio Technology
SRM