KIU Publications

Typhoid fever remains a preventable cause of illness and death among African children, especially where safe water, sanitation, and hygiene are limited. Caused by Salmonella Typhi, it spreads mainly through food or water contaminated with human faeces. Disease burden varies across Africa, but school-aged children are heavily affected in high-incidence areas. Diagnosis is difficult because symptoms are nonspecific, blood-culture services are scarce, prior antibiotic use reduces detection, and unreliable serological tests are still common. Rising multidrug resistance further limits treatment choices and highlights the need for antimicrobial-susceptibility monitoring and responsible antibiotic use. Typhoid conjugate vaccines offer effective, long-lasting protection and can be given from six months of age, making them suitable for childhood immunisation programmes. However, vaccination alone is insufficient. Control requires better water and sanitation systems, safer food practices, stronger surveillance and laboratories, improved treatment policies, and research into epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis, complications, and care for children under 15.