Typhoid Fever In Belize: Understanding The Risks And Prevention

Belize is a country in Central America, known for its lush jungles and diverse ecosystems. It is a popular tourist destination, with its white sand beaches, emerald waters, and abundant marine life. However, travellers to Belize should be aware of the risk of typhoid infection in the country. While the risk is considered low, it is important to take precautions to prevent enteric fever, which is caused by the bacterial infection typhoid. This includes getting vaccinated and practising good hygiene and safe food and water precautions.

Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water

Typhoid, or typhoid fever, is a bacterial infection caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacteria, which lives in the intestines and bloodstream of humans. It is usually spread through contaminated food or water. Once ingested, the bacteria multiply and spread into the bloodstream.

Typhoid is a serious health threat, especially for children, in places where it is common. It is more prevalent in places with less efficient sanitation and hygiene, and in areas with poor waste management. The infection is rare in places where water is treated to kill germs and where human waste is disposed of properly.

Symptoms of typhoid include a high fever, fatigue, weakness, gastrointestinal issues like diarrhoea or constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, and sometimes a rash. In severe cases, typhoid can lead to serious complications, including intestinal damage and bleeding, sepsis, myocarditis, endocarditis, and encephalopathy.

The only treatment for typhoid is antibiotics, and it is fatal in around 30% of cases if left untreated. Vaccines are available and recommended for travellers to high-risk areas, but they are not 100% effective, so caution should still be exercised when it comes to food, drink, and personal hygiene.

To prevent infection, it is recommended to:

• Ensure food is properly cooked and still hot when served.
• Avoid raw milk and products made from raw milk, opting for pasteurised or boiled milk instead.
• Avoid ice unless it is made from safe water.
• Boil water for at least one minute if bottled water is unavailable.
• Wash hands thoroughly and frequently, especially after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food.
• Wash fruits and vegetables carefully, and peel them if possible.

In Belize, the risk of typhoid is considered low, and immunization helps with prevention. However, it is recommended that travellers to Belize are offered typhoid immunisation and advice on preventing enteric fever, also known as typhoid fever.

Travellers going to rural areas are at a higher risk of contracting typhoid

Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It is usually spread through contaminated food or water. The risk of typhoid is higher in populations that lack access to safe water and adequate sanitation, and children are at the highest risk of contracting the disease.

Belize is a country where there is a risk of typhoid infection. Although the risk is considered low, it is recommended that travellers to Belize are offered typhoid immunisation and advice on the prevention of enteric fever.

Rural areas in developing countries, where there is a lack of modern sanitation, are places where typhoid is most common. Travellers going to rural areas are therefore at a higher risk of contracting typhoid. This is especially true for travellers going to rural areas in South and Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Africa, and the Caribbean, the regions most affected by typhoid.

To prevent the spread of typhoid, it is important to practice good hygiene. This includes washing your hands with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food. It is also important to wash surfaces and utensils used for food preparation and to avoid eating or drinking things that could be contaminated.

Typhoid vaccination is recommended for travellers to Belize

The typhoid vaccine comes in two forms: a shot that lasts two years, and an oral vaccine that lasts five years. The oral vaccine must be kept refrigerated and the recipient must be able to swallow pills.

In addition to getting vaccinated, travellers can also reduce their risk of typhoid by practising good hygiene and safe food and water precautions. This includes opting for fully cooked dishes, avoiding raw seafood, choosing eateries with good hygiene practices, sticking to bottled beverages, being cautious with ice, and drinking alcohol in moderation.

Other recommended vaccinations for travellers to Belize include hepatitis A, polio, yellow fever, chikungunya, rabies, hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, meningitis, chickenpox, shingles, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).

It is also important to take precautions against mosquito bites, as malaria, dengue fever, and the Zika virus are present in some regions of Belize. Antimalarials may be recommended depending on the traveller's itinerary.

The typhoid shot lasts 2 years and the oral vaccine lasts 5 years

Typhoid is a risk in Belize, so it is recommended that travellers to the country are offered typhoid immunisation and advice on the prevention of enteric fever. The disease is spread through contaminated food or water, so it is important to take precautions when eating and drinking.

There are two types of typhoid vaccine available: an inactivated (killed) vaccine and a live, attenuated (weakened) vaccine. The inactivated vaccine is administered as an injection (shot) and may be given to people aged 2 and over. One dose is recommended at least two weeks before travel, and repeated doses are recommended every two years for those who remain at risk. The live vaccine is administered orally and may be given to people aged 6 and over. One capsule is taken every other day, for a total of four capsules, the last of which should be taken at least one week before travel. A booster vaccine is needed every five years for those who remain at risk.

Practicing good hygiene and safe food and water precautions can help prevent typhoid

Typhoid fever is a bacterial disease caused by Salmonella typhi, which is transmitted by ingesting food or drink contaminated with fecal matter. The bacteria are spread by a human carrier who deposits the bacteria in water or food, which then spreads to other people in the area.

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with antibacterial soap. Scrub your hands briskly for at least 15 seconds, and then dry them with a disposable towel.
• If soap and water are unavailable, use hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid risky foods and drinks, including street food, where it can be challenging to ensure sanitary conditions.
• Drink bottled water or bring water to a boil for at least one minute before drinking.
• Avoid flavoured ice treats that may have been made with contaminated water.
• Eat only foods that have been thoroughly cooked.
• Peel raw fruits and vegetables yourself before eating them.
• Wash raw produce with bottled or boiled water.
• Avoid food that is stored or served at room temperature. Opt for freshly made, steaming hot foods instead.

In addition to these precautions, it is recommended that travellers to Belize are offered typhoid immunisation and advice on preventing enteric fever, as there is a risk of typhoid infection in the country.

Frequently asked questions