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Typhoid Fever in Zimbabwe (Update)

24 Jan 2012

The outbreak of typhoid in Zimbabwe is not yet under control. Over 600 cases have been reported from the capital Harare and 90 individuals are being treated in hospital.

There are concerns that the infection has spread into the city centre as one hotel worker has been diagnosed with typhoid. The typhoid outbreak has been confirmed as health officials found salmonella typhi in samples of raw, cooked meat and fish taken from street vendors.

Doctors and nurses have been deployed to all affected suburbs including Dzivaresekwa, Kambuzuma, Kuwadzana and Park.

Advice for Travellers

Vaccination against typhoid is usually recommended for travellers to Zambia. Precautions with food and water hygiene is also recommended as the vaccine is not fully effective in protecting against typhoid fever.