Study: Resistant Typhoid More Widespread

A drug-resistant strain of the bacteria that cause typhoid fever is spreading through Asia and Africa, a new study warns. The strain is known as H58. It is now one of the most common forms of the bacteria Salmonella typhi, the study says. H58 resists several antibiotics that are used to treat the disease. It is still changing and becoming resistant to other drugs. The study looked at data on more than 1,800 S. typhi samples. They were collected from 63 countries in the last 20 years. Nearly half included the H58 strain. This strain has reached epidemic levels in Africa, the study found. Symptoms of typhoid fever include a high, long-lasting fever, belly pain and weakness. Up to 20% of those who are infected die. Typhoid fever is not a threat in developed countries. That’s because clean water and sewage treatment prevent spread of the bacteria.