Recent study revealed that there has been as increase in cases of drug-resistant strain typhoid in United States. Researchers cited the traveling to foreign lands especially the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh) as main reason behind it.

Dr. Michael F. Lynch and colleagues from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta analyzed data from 1999 to 2006 for 1,902 cases of typhoid fever reported to the CDC. Three patients out of these died.  

Researchers revealed that typhoid is still a serious health threat in developing countries whereas in developed countries like US it is almost eliminated.

Data analysis revealed that nearly 79 percent of the typhoid patients had traveled to foreign lands within 30 days of illness. Visit to India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh was the reason behind more than two-thirds of all travel-associated cases of typhoid fever.

Research team noted that only 5 percent of typhoid patients had received typhoid vaccine. The increase in prevalence of drug-resistant strains of the organism has become an issue of concern for health authorities.

Research team concluded: "Reducing the burden of typhoid fever in the United States, will require increased attention to prevention measures by travelers, including improved vaccination coverage among travelers to typhoid-endemic areas," particularly among travelers visiting friends or family in India or its neighbors.