Drug-resistant XDR typhoid spreading sharply in Pakistan

The drug-resistant typhoid virus is becoming more severe in Pakistan with the emergence of 'XDR Typhoid' which is spreading rapidly across the country.

A report published in collaboration with The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, stated that a strain of "superbug" has emerged in Pakistan in 2016, with over 15,000 cases of drug-resistant XDR reported since its emergence.

Pakistan has the highest rate of typhoid in the region, and it is now increasing with XDR-typhoid.

"Typhoid was once treatable with a set of pills and now ends up with patients in the hospital," said Dr Jehanzeb Khan, a clinical pharmacist at the hospital. 

Almost 80 percent of diseases are caused by contaminated water, and Pakistan has the lowest ranking in the world for access to clean water in homes.

Dr Maria Neira, a director at the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, believed that typhoid could be controlled "if we have access to safe water and sanitation."

"Drug-resistant typhoid is unique in the challenge that it represents," she added. 

"It is preventable and it is very much related to poverty – the vulnerability of people, and lack of access to water and sanitation."

Researcher Misbah Khan said that XDR-typhoid is the final warning sign. 

"After this, we will enter a stage where the superbug won’t respond to any drugs at all."