A rising wave of drug-resistant typhoid is presenting a significant health crisis in Pakistan, particularly affecting children.
Eight-year-old Ukasha is a poignant example of this alarming trend; he has been suffering from a prolonged case of typhoid fever for a month, caused by an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strain of the bacteria Salmonella typhi.
What should have been a manageable illness has turned into a serious health issue due to the resistance developed by the bacteria.
Typhoid is primarily transmitted through contaminated food and water and can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Although antibiotics usually cure the infection, their effectiveness is waning as the bacteria adapt and become resistant.
Reports indicate that Pakistan has seen over 15,000 cases of XDR typhoid, with many outbreaks going unrecorded.
The crisis is worsened by inadequate access to clean water and sanitation, with health officials stating that contaminated water accounts for about 80% of diseases in the country.
Dr. Maria Neira from the World Health Organization has pointed out that with improved infrastructure, typhoid is a preventable disease.
Despite vaccination efforts that have reached over 30 million children since 2019, the spread of typhoid continues, especially in northern regions.
Effective treatment relies heavily on accurate laboratory testing; however, many patients are prescribed ineffective antibiotics due to misdiagnoses, further complicating recovery.
As drug-resistant infections become a growing concern globally, experts warn that the rise of XDR typhoid may herald a return to more virulent forms of the disease. Global leaders are preparing to address this urgent crisis at the UN, as the threat of superbugs escalates.
