HYDERABAD: After the dengue scare, Hyderabad is now in the throes of a typhoid fright. Doctors said cases of typhoid are rising with hospitals reporting close to 10-20 cases every week in the last fortnight alone.
While health officials say the typhoid cases are scattered, a majority of cases are reported from Amberpet, Hafeezpet, Banjara Hills, Tolichowki, Mehdipatnam and Ameerpet. “Cases of typhoid, gastroenteritis and dengue are being reported from different areas. As of now, the situation is not alarming.. But, during this time of the year, people with flu-like symptoms are rushing to hospitals,” Dr K Shankar, superintendent, Fever Hospital, said. Allaying fears, he said: “There is no outbreak of typhoid yet since cases are limited in numbers.”
Admitting that typhoid cases see a rise with the onset of monsoon, Dr Ranga Santhosh Kumar, consultant general physician, said typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi. “Salmonella is said to spread by four Fs (flies, fingers, fomites and faeces). It is more prevalent in low socio-economic and overcrowded areas. The major mode of transmission is faro-oral through contaminated food and water,” he said.
Hakeempet, Hasan Nagar, Shaheen Nagar, Rajendrangar, NS Kunta and Pahadi Shareef in Old City are witnessing a big number of typhoid cases. “While patients of all age groups are falling sick, a majority of the affected are children and adolescents,” said Dr MD Nafey who works at the community health centre in Shaheen Nagar. He said one in three cases of fever are turning out to be typhoid-related.