Anyone
who ate at the Boiler Bistro, John Purdue Room, or the coffee shop,
Lavazza, at Marriott Hall on the Purdue campus from January 23-25 2013
may be at risk. Health
officials advise these individuals to see a healthcare provider right
away if they start to experience symptoms such as a high fever (103° to
104° F), weakness, stomach pains, headache, nausea, vomiting,
constipation or diarrhea, or loss of appetite. In some
cases, a rash of flat, rose-colored spots may appear. Symptoms usually
begin within 8-14 days after exposure, but could potentially appear for
up to 30 days.
Health
care providers are encouraged to ask those who present with these
symptoms about potential exposure and consider testing for typhoid
fever. Stool and blood are
appropriate specimens for testing. Suspect cases should be reported
immediately to your local health department.
People are at risk of typhoid fever if they eat food or drink beverages that have been handled by someone who infected with
Salmonella Typhi or if sewage contaminated with the bacteria gets
into the water used for drinking or washing food. Typhoid fever is more
common in areas where hand washing is less frequent and water can be
contaminated with sewage.
Typhoid fever is a life-threatening illness caused by the bacterium
Salmonella Typhi. In the United States, approximately 400 cases
of typhoid fever occur each year with 75 percent of these acquired while
traveling internationally. Typhoid fever is still common in the
developing world, where it affects about 21.5 million
persons each year. The case being investigated recently traveled
internationally and this is where the infection was acquired.
For questions, please contact Sarah Slette, ISDH Enteric Epidemiologist, at 317-234-2808 or
sslette@isdh.in.gov.
William C. VanNess II, MD
State Health Commissioner
