See past issues in our Newsletter Archives
In this issue:
- New and improved: Website updates
- Using genomic data to understand the evolution of drug-resistant typhoid
- Just published: CaT supplement reminds us of the need to translate global action into local impact to take on typhoid
- New evidence from virtual convenings
- Outbreak reports
- Scientific publications
- Blogs
New and improved: Website updates
Our website has a new look! The updates feature a new drug-resistant typhoid page with interactive maps that capture the geographic distribution of typhoid and provide insight into the emergence and spread of rapidly evolving drug-resistant strains. Our new ‘Resources & Tools’ tab includes updated materials, data, and visuals with key messaging catering to a variety of audiences, from policymakers and scientists to health care workers and anyone who wants to advocate for the prioritization of an integrated approach to typhoid prevention and control. Overall, updates throughout the website reflect the latest available data and research, as well as updates on typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) campaigns, introductions, and progress made in the fight against typhoid. Happy exploring!
Using genomic data to understand the evolution of drug-resistant typhoid
Take on Typhoid recently published new interactive maps, available on the drug-resistant typhoid page, that help visualize the emergence and evolution of drug-resistant typhoid. Using publicly available data from Pathogenwatch, a global platform for genomic surveillance, the maps not only highlight where drug-resistant typhoid is already present, but also show the geographic spread of these strains over time. The maps underscore the reality that drug-resistant typhoid bacteria represent a real global threat, even for countries that may not yet face a high burden, due to the regular regional and intercontinental transfer of drug-resistant organisms.
As decision-makers take action to combat drug-resistant typhoid by introducing TCVs, genomic data such as these will help monitor trends and allow decision-makers to focus efforts where they are most needed. If you are interested in learning more or collaborating to improve our collective understanding of the molecular epidemiology of typhoid, please contact typhigenomes@gmail.com.
Just published: CaT supplement reminds us of the need to translate global action into local impact to take on typhoid
The Coalition against Typhoid (CaT) is pleased to announce that the journal supplement, “Global Action to Local Impact: Research and Developments on Typhoid and Other Invasive Salmonelloses,” is now available online in Clinical Infectious Diseases. Generated out of conversations at the 11th International Conference on Typhoid & Other Invasive Salmonelloses, held in March 2019 in Hanoi, Vietnam, the supplement features 20 articles focused on critical topics including renewed and concerted efforts to develop new diagnostics; the applications of environmental surveillance for enteric disease research; addressing the worrisome rise of drug resistance; understanding the burden of typhoid, paratyphoid and invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella (iNTS) disease; the vaccine development pipeline; and the impact of new TCVs and other interventions on future typhoid prevention and control efforts.
This supplement reminds us of both the extraordinary advances that continue to be made in the fight to take on typhoid, but also the work still needed to realize a future free of typhoid, paratyphoid, and iNTS disease—which is as important now as ever given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global public health research and development. While the 2021 International Conference on Typhoid & Other Invasive Salmonelloses has been postponed due to the pandemic, we hope that we can collectively continue to build on these recent successes, and use them to catalyze us to greater progress and innovation.
New evidence from virtual convenings
In the era of COVID-19, many events—including conferences—are virtual. Despite changes in our day-to-day lives, typhoid has not slowed down and continues to impact many communities in low- and middle-income countries. Efforts to share data and exchange findings remains vitally important.
- Data from the Typhoid Vaccine Acceleration Consortium (TyVAC) study in Burkina Faso were presented at the American Society of Microbiology Conference and at the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research. The data show TCV can be safely and effectively co-administered with measles-rubella and yellow fever vaccines at 9-months and group A meningococcal conjugate vaccine at 15-months.
- As part of World Water Week At Home, CaT hosted WASH interventions for enteric disease prevention. The forum stressed coordination between public health and water and sanitation providers to prevent and control waterborne diseases in low-resource urban settings.
- We will round out the year at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) annual meeting with the following symposiums: 1) Evidence to action: Accelerating introduction of typhoid conjugate vaccines in Africa; 2) Sero-epidemiology: The future of enteric disease surveillance?; and, 3) Genomics for typhoid surveillance in South Asia. Be sure to register to hear results from the first TCV efficacy study conducted in Africa.
Outbreak reports
As COVID-19 cases worldwide continue to increase, overburdened and resource-constrained health systems are facing significant challenges in addressing endemic infectious diseases like typhoid. In Pakistan, which experienced a large typhoid outbreak between 2016 and 2019, a relapse could be devastating—raising the need for improved water and sanitation, in addition to continued vaccination with TCV. Monsoon season has wreaked havoc across South Asia, leaving millions in Bangladesh, Nepal, and India displaced and at heightened risk of exposure to typhoid. Ensuring widespread access to and use of lifesaving interventions is critical. The city of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe faced a devastating typhoid and dysentery outbreak that sickened 2,000 and claimed 13 lives. While the outbreak―which was traced to contaminated water pipes—has since been contained, it is one of many that the country has been grappling with.
