A typhoid fever outbreak has been announced in Weld County, Colorado. Three people were sickened after eating at a franchised Qdoba Mexican restaurant in Firestone, Colorado. Two people were hospitalized as a result of their illness. Public health officials believe the cause was an infected food handler at the restaurant. That person is no longer working at the restaurant, is not showing signs of the illness, and is receiving medical treatment. Current and former employers are being tested to make sure that no one else is sick. Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria. Dr. Mark E. Wallace, Executive Director of the Weld County Health Department said in a statement, "Typhoid fever is very rare. The good news is the illness is treatable with antibiotics. Simply having eaten … [Read more...]
Antibiotic Resistant Salmonella Paves the Way for Typhoid Fever Resurgence
Antibiotic resistant Salmonella is paving the way for a resurgence in typhoid fever, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report, which compared antibiotic resistance levels during 2012 to levels between 2003-2007, found that the bacteria that causes typhoid fever, Salmonella typhi, increased resistance to quinolone drugs 68 percent in 2012. Typhoid fever is a serious illness spread by contaminated food and water. Symptoms usually develop one to two weeks after exposure and last up to four weeks. They include lasting fever that becomes constant, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, lethargy, headache, and loss of appetite. Some patients also have chest congestion, constipation and a skin rash. In rare cases, internal bleeding or death can … [Read more...]
