Typhoid Fever Surveillance and Vaccination Recommendations: WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2021

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Typhoid fever causes millions of cases and significant mortality globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
• The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) faces a high incidence of typhoid fever, necessitating targeted prevention and control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state of typhoid fever surveillance and vaccination recommendations within the EMR.
• To identify gaps and inform regional efforts for typhoid prevention and control.

Main Methods:

• Surveys were distributed to surveillance and immunization officers across 21 EMR countries and the occupied Palestinian territory.
• Data on typhoid surveillance practices, case definitions, laboratory confirmation, and vaccination recommendations were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Fifteen countries routinely collected typhoid surveillance data, with 73% using standard case definitions.
• Health facility-based surveillance with laboratory confirmation was implemented in 53% of countries, but only 33% primarily used blood culture.
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by 7 countries, and only 2 recommended typhoid vaccination.

Conclusions:

• Significant gaps exist in typhoid fever surveillance and the implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies in the EMR.
• Enhancing typhoid and antimicrobial resistance surveillance is essential for monitoring disease burden, resistance patterns, and guiding effective control measures.