Lockdown and better awareness bring down typhoid cases by half

Doctors in the city said seeking medical attention at the earliest and increased awareness on hygiene due to COVID-19 pandemic have helped reduce the numbers.

Last year, Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Vellore, Villupuram, Coimbatore, Madurai and Dindigul had reported typhoid outbreaks. In comparison, however, the outbreaks have remained low in almost all the districts this year.

“Promotion of handwashing and other hygiene practices helped reduce water-borne diseases. Use of public toilets spreads typhoid and other diseases. Due to lockdown, not only typhoid but diarrhoea cases have also reduced in the State,” said public health expert Dr K Kolandaisamy.

He added that fear of contracting coronavirus has made the people health conscious, prompting them to medical attention in case of any fever.

Doctors added that lockdown has helped in reducing typhoid cases mainly in children, as their movement has been restricted for many months. Also, consuming food and water from outside have also been less.

“Usually, typhoid cases are common among children every year. But the cases have reduced by 50 per cent this year due to restricted movement of people since the lockdown was imposed. With schools and other educational institutions remaining shut, the risk of contamination of food and water has also declined sharply,” said Dr Mohan Kumar, paediatrician, Institute of Child Health, Egmore.