SAFETY FIRST: Dr Gary Litherland vaccinates Georgia Cooper against typhoid prior to her trip to Bali. PICTURE: JUSTIN BRIERTY Source: News Limited
A POTENTIALLY-fatal third-world infection has hit Far North Queensland.
Four people have been struck down by typhoid fever in the Cairns and Hinterland area and two in the Cape and Torres Strait health region so far this year.
Infectious diseases expert Professor John McBride said the food-borne bacterial infection, which causes high fevers and a rash, was rarely transmitted in Australia but was common in developing countries.
The potentially-fatal third-world infection typhoid has hit Far North Queensland. PICTURE: SUPPLIED Source: Supplied
“Usually it is only acquired in countries where food preparing facilities might not be up to scratch,’’ he said.
“In Australia we would see cases imported from the Pacific, Papua New Guinea or India.
“I’ve never seen a case acquired in Australia.”
The infection, which is transmitted through contaminated food or water, has a 10 to 30 per cent death rate.
“It is in the class of salmonella … Typhoid is the worst form,” said Prof McBride.
“It is difficult to treat and there have been some deaths.
“There was a tragic death in Townsville of a medical student who went to India and acquired it.”
The talented 23-year-old student, Amuthan “Andy” Annamalai, died in Townsville Hospital in early 2013.
Cairns Travel Clinic’s Dr Gary Litherland urged people travelling to developing countries to get the typhoid and hepatitis A combined vaccination.
“It’s a significant concern in third world countries,’’ he said.
“Southeast Asia and India are significant concerns.”
The vaccine lasts for about three years and can be injected or given in a course of three capsules.