Availability of Clean Tap Water and Medical Services Prevents the Incidence of Typhoid Fever

Abstract

Objective:In this study, the factors that induced a decrease in the incidence of typhoid fever were analyzed. Based on the study results, we propose a quantitative and concrete solution to reduce the incidence of typhoid fever.Methods:We analyzed the incidence and fatality rate of typhoid fever in Korea. Tap water service rate and the number of pharmacies, which affect the incidence rate of typhoid fever, were used as environmental factors.Results:To prevent typhoid fever in the community, it is necessary to provide clean tap water service to 35.5% of the population, with an individual requiring 173 L of clean water daily. Appropriate access to clean water (51% service coverage, 307 L) helped the population to maintain individual hygiene and food safety practices, which brought about a decrease in the incidence of typhoid fever, and subsequently a decrease in fatality rate, which was achieved twice. During the 8-year study period, the fatality rate decreased to 1% when the population has access to proper medical service.Conclusion:The fatality rate was primarily affected by the availability of medical services as well as by the incidence of typhoid fever. However, an analysis of the study results showed that the incidence of typhoid fever was affected only by the availability of clean water through the tap water system.

Progress in the overall understanding of typhoid fever: implications for vaccine development

“…Typhoid fever is a systemic illness transmitted by the fecal-oral route through contaminated food or water. Contaminated water contributes to the frequent outbreaks of typhoid fever throughout the world [19]. In Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where there is limited access to clean water, and poor sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, more cases of typhoid and typhoid related deaths are seen [20].…”

“…The goals set out to achieve this by providing safe and clean drinking water universally, adequate access to sanitation and hygiene and to end open defecation by 2030 [24]. Availability of clean drinking water and hygiene practices can reduce outbreaks of typhoid [19]. Introduction of clean water and sewage management can lead to decreases in the morbidity and mortality related to various fecal-oral infections including typhoid [20]…”

TIPICO X: report of the 10th interactive infectious disease workshop on infectious diseases and vaccines

“…Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella Typhi, mainly affects low-resource areas with restricted access to improved sanitation facilities and clean drinking water. 96 Consequently, in Europe, it is a relatively rare disease mainly acquired during travel to countries outside the continent. 97 Children are greatly affected by typhoid fever and it is known that the highest incidence occurs in individuals from 5 to 15 y old.…”

Individual Factors Associated With the Occurrence of Typhoid Fever Among Adults Attending Bay Regional Hospital in Baidoa District, Somalia. A Cross-Sectional Study.

“…Regarding clean water, Kim et al (2023) indicated that the use of metal coverage of water storage and keeping water containers covered were associated with around 80% lower odds of having typhoid fever. Such results suggest that ensuring access to piped, treated, and clean water, and improving drinking water quality could be prioritized to reduce the incidences of typhoid fever in the study area (Bennett et al, 2018;Kim et al, 2023;Lee et al, 2013;Mogasale et al, 2018). Of all the factors, only household size had a significant association with the occurrence of typhoid fever.…”