Six cases of endemic typhus were registered in Cyprus in the last six months, which were treated in public and private hospitals, with the two out’ of these in the Intensive Care Unit, the KYPE is informed. However, the Ministry of Health reassures, clarifying that since 2011, when cases began to be recorded, no death has been recorded.
The information refers to five cases in the fourth quarter of 2022 and one in the first quarter of 2023, who was hospitalized for a week in a private hospital in Nicosia and was discharged last Monday.
Fully cured.
The KYPE contacted the competent Ministry, which reassures the citizens, since as it assures endemic typhus "is fully curable".
The latest, however, it is reassuring – according to the Ministry of Health – that since 2011, when incidents began to be recorded through the official channel, no death has been recorded in Cyprus.
Besides, as reported in the Agency, in the Republic of Cyprus sporadic individual cases are reported every year.
It is worth noting that endemic typhus is not transmitted from person to person, while it is treated with the administration of antibiotic drugs, which are available in the Republic of Cyprus.
No deaths from typhoid in Cyprus since 2011
In his statements to KYPE, the press representative of the Ministry of Health, Dimitris Konstantinou, assured that since 2011, when cases of endemic typhus began to be recorded through the official channel, there has been no death.
According to Mr. .Konstantinou in the Republic of Cyprus, sporadic individual cases are reported every year.
Asked if the number of cases is such that it causes concern to the Ministry of Health, Mr. Konstantinou stated that "typhoid is curable" and that "with the administration of antibiotics it is completely cured".
Cyprus does not exceed 30 cases since 2011
The Cyprus News Agency has secured the official data of confirmed cases of typhus since 2011, according to which it is established that their number does not exceed 30.
Specifically, the highest number of cases in the Republic of Cyprus was recorded in 2012 with 30 incidents, while the lowest was recorded in 2020 and 2022 with 5 incidents.
According to the information of the KYPE, the only case so far, recorded in 2023, was hospitalized last week in a private hospital in Nicosia.
Official data also state that in 2011, 21 cases were recorded, in 2013, 10 incidents were recorded, in 2014 there were 9 incidents, while 6 incidents were recorded in 2015.
In addition, in 2016 20 cases have been recorded, in 2017 another 8 cases, in 2018 there were 14 cases, while 17 cases were recorded in 2019 and 10 cases in 2021.
How endemic typhus is transmitted
Transmitted through a bite or infectious fluids (such as feces) inoculated through the skin by ectoparasites such as ticks, fleas, fleas and mites found on various animals (rats, goats, sheep and cows).
Inhalation of bacteria or conjunctival contact with infectious material can also lead to infection.
Symptoms
Clinical manifestations vary depending on the causative agent and the patient. Symptoms typically appear within 1-2 weeks.
Treatment and personal protection
Endemic typhus is treated with antibiotics. These medicines are available in the Republic of Cyprus.
The Ministry of Health makes recommendations regarding personal protection measures, such as good hand hygiene, personal hygiene, food safety and good washing/cooking before their consumption and avoiding tick bites and contact with ticks and the correct and timely removal of attached ticks.
Also, caution is recommended when staying outdoors and wearing appropriate clothing, using insect repellent, careful and frequent body control and of clothes for ticks when staying outdoors and after returning home and protection of pets and domestic animals from ticks.
Source: KYPE
