According to statistics compiled by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC), since the beginning of 2014, a total of 7 typhoid fever cases have been confirmed, including two indigenous cases and 5 imported cases. Among the imported cases, 3 cases are foreign workers and 2 cases are local students, and they respectively became infected in Indonesia (2), the Philippines (2), and Pakistan (1). Moreover, thus far this year, a total of 4 paratyphoid fever cases have been confirmed and all of them are imported cases. They respectively became infected in Cambodia (2), Nepal (1) and Myanmar (1). The numbers of typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever cases confirmed thus far this year are both higher than that confirmed during the same period in the past three years. Hence, Taiwan CDC would like to remind people traveling overseas to avoid raw food or food purchased from street vendors, consume only boiled or bottled water, and maintain good personal hygiene habits to prevent infection.

According to Taiwan CDC’s statistics, during the recent three years, from 2011 to 2013, the numbers of imported typhoid fever cases during the same period respectively are 1, 2 and 6. The cases respectively became infected in Myanmar, Indonesia, Laos and other countries. On the other hand, from 2011 to 2013, the numbers of imported paratyphoid fever cases during the same period respectively are 1, 3 and 0. The cases respectively became infected in Indonesia, India and other countries. Typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever are primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route by ingesting contaminated food or water or coming into contact with things that have the virus on them. Most imported cases became infected in countries in South and Southeast Asia. Therefore, Taiwan CDC advises people visiting the aforementioned countries to pay attention to food safety and personal hygiene and avoid consuming potentially contaminated food to prevent infection. If discomfort such as fever of unknown origin develops, please seek immediate medical attention and inform the physician of relevant travel history and exposure history in order to facilitate prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Typhoid fever is listed as a Category II Notifiable Infectious Disease in Taiwan. The incubation period of typhoid fever is usually 8 to 14 days (may last up to 60 days). Typhoid fever usually occurs in areas with poor sanitation, low standards of hygiene and inadequate sewerage systems. Infection is most often acquired through consumption of water or food that has been contaminated by feces of an infected person or a carrier. Most commonly seen symptoms include persistent fever, headache, discomfort, loss of appetite, rash, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea. The incubation period of paratyphoid fever ranges from 1 to 10 days. The route of transmission of paratyphoid fever is similar to that of typhoid fever. Paratyphoid fever has similar symptoms to typhoid fever, but is generally a milder disease. To effectively prevent typhoid and paratyphoid fevers, consume only thoroughly cooked food, avoid consuming raw food and food purchased from street vendors, consume only boiled or bottled water, practice good personal hygiene habits, and wash hands thoroughly before meals and after using the bathroom.

Taiwan CDC recommends travelers planning to visit areas affected by typhoid fever to consider the need for typhoid fever vaccination through consulting the outpatient travel clinic at 21 contracted hospitals in the nation prior to their trip. For any questions or further information, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922, or 0800-001922 if calling from a cell phone.