2017 Report

Given the lack of adequate access to drinking water and sanitation, typhoid fever remains an endemic disease in Mayotte. During 2017, 35 cases of typhoid fever confirmed by blood culture and/or stool culture were reported by the CHM laboratory to the Health Surveillance, Alert, and Management Unit (CVAGS) of the ARS OI. No cases of paratyphoid fever were identified. Following an increase in 2015, the incidence of typhoid fever has been declining over the past two years, falling from 19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2015 to 14 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2017.

Among the 35 cases of typhoid fever recorded in 2017 (14 men and 21 women), the average age was 21 years (range: 2–63 years); 15 cases (43%) were under 15 years of age. A total of 21 cases (60%) were hospitalized, including 4 in the intensive care unit.

The majority of cases were locally acquired (32 cases); however, 3 cases reported a stay abroad in the month prior to diagnosis. Sixteen cases reported using tap water or public water fountains, 9 used stored water, and one patient reported washing her hands with soap before preparing meals or after using the restroom. Eight cases reported the presence of wastewater discharge in the vicinity of their homes.

Cases of typhoid fever occurred throughout the year; however, an increase in cases was observed during the month of June between weeks 23 and 26, peaking in week 24, corresponding to a cluster of 8 cases in the municipality of Koungou.