Drug-resistant typhoid outbreak rings alarm bells

The drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid outbreak in Sindh has sent alarm bells ringing in the health department.

The provincial health authorities reached out to local experts and global partners to discuss the effective control of the epidemic.

In this regard, an important meeting was convened under the management of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to examine and address the issue of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid in Sindh. Key stakeholders converged in Karachi for a two-day meet on October 2 to develop a coordinated response to the public health crisis.

Participants examined how the disease is affecting the people in Sindh and discussed the most important actions needed, and prioritised those that could quickly and effectively control the outbreak based on what is practical, affordable, and most effective.

The meeting identified 10 key actions as the highest priority to implement to control XDR typhoid in the province, including implementing guidelines for the responsible use of antibiotics, restricting sales of antibiotics without a prescription, ensuring clean drinking water at all levels, and developing a provincial XDR typhoid response plan to guide policy at all administrative levels.

The meeting also created a multi-disciplinary technical working group to guide the province's future actions on typhoid control.

The group will convene in early 2025 to develop strategies and policies to implement the key actions identified at this week's meeting.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's collaborative effort to combat XDR typhoid is just one of many US government-sponsored programmes promoting better health outcomes in Pakistan.

Since 2016, an outbreak of XDR typhoid has posed a serious public health risk in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh.

Estimates of Typhoid incidence in Pakistan are as high as 176 cases per 100,000 people.

Meeting attendees included Dr. Elizabeth Davlantes, Deputy Branch Chief for Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch, US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).