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Epidemiology of typhoid fever in Singapore

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

F. S. Yew ,
K. T. Goh  and
Y. S. Lim
F. S. Yew
Affiliation:
Quarantine and Epidemiology Department. Ministry of the Environment, Singapore, 40 Scotts Road, Singapore 0922
K. T. Goh
Affiliation:
Quarantine and Epidemiology Department. Ministry of the Environment, Singapore, 40 Scotts Road, Singapore 0922
Y. S. Lim
Affiliation:
Enteric Bacteriology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
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Summary

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A total of 1452 cases of typhoid fever was notified in Singapore from 1980–9. The morbidity rates of indigenous cases showed a steady decline from 5.9 per 100000 population in 1980 to 1.2 per 100000 population in 1989. The mean case fatality was 0.8%. Children, adolescents and young adults were most susceptible to typhoid fever. There was no significant difference in morbidity rates between the major ethnic groups. The vast majority of indigenous cases were sporadic while outbreaks accounted for almost one third of them. Food was the main vehicle of transmission. The commonest indigenous phage types were B1, D1 and A. Antimicrobial resistance was infrequently seen. The proportion of imported cases rose from 32% in 1980 to 72% in 1989. Almost half (48.5%) of all imported cases were local residents who contracted typhoid fever while travelling in endemic countries. As imported cases assume greater importance in the epidemiology of typhoid fever in Singapore, further drop in typhoid fever incidence would require reduction of travel-related cases through greater awareness of food hygiene and effective vaccination.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 110 , Issue 1 , February 1993 , pp. 63 - 70
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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