Announcement
Study Finds Typhoid Vaccine Could Benefit Short-term Travelers
(Released August 24, 2004)

A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study of 1,393 typhoid fever patients in the U.S. found that most cases (74%) were linked to travel abroad; 37% of these cases occurred among travelers who stayed at their destination less than 4 weeks. Short-term travel was also associated with risk for typhoid fever. Of the 626 patients who reported the duration of their visit to a single country, 16% stayed less than 2 weeks and 5% less than 1 week. The study reviewed data from 1994 through 1999 of typhoid fever cases reported to CDC, as well as adverse reactions to typhoid vaccine that were reported to the Vaccine Adverse Reporting System (VAERS), a government program for vaccine safety.

Of travel-related cases, travel to 6 countries—India, Pakistan, Mexico, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Haiti—accounted for 76%. Of the 147 typhoid fever patients who specified a single reason for travel, 80% indicated they were visiting relatives and friends abroad. Adverse reactions to the two available typhoid vaccines were found to be rare; however, only 4% of travelers with typhoid fever reported receiving typhoid immunization in the 5 years preceding travel. The report concluded that vaccination against typhoid fever should be considered even for persons planning short-term travel to high-risk areas. In the U.S, an oral and an injectable typhoid vaccine are available. Both vaccines have been shown to protect 50%–80% of recipients. Careful selection of food and drink and attention to hygiene are also necessary to reduce the risk of typhoid infection.

Citation
Steinberg EB, Bishop R, Haber P, Dempsey AF, Hoekstra RM, Nelson JM, Ackers M, Calugar A, Mintz, ED. Typhoid fever in travelers: who should be targeted for prevention? Clin Infect Dis 2004;39:186-91.