Fever in a returned traveller

An 8-year-old boy, presenting with fever after returning from a visit to Papua New Guinea, was found to have typhoid, despite immunization against this disease prior to travel. This most likely represented vaccine failure, although it is also possible that he acquired the infection from overseas visitors who had stayed with his family prior to his travel, or that he contracted the disease from his father. This case highlights the importance of considering typhoid as a cause of fever in a returned traveller, even if they have been previously immunized against this disease. It also highlights that, in addition to taking the patient's travel history, information should be specifically sought about contact with visitors from overseas and the travel history of other household members.