Researchers Urge Immediate Action To Halt Surge In Typhoid, Antibiotic Resistance In Nigeria

Health researchers have sounded urgent warning over the growing burden of typhoid fever and the rapid spread of multi-drug-resistant bacteria in Nigeria and call for immediate public health action to avert looming crisis.

Typhoid fever, according to researcher, Kolawole Haroun Aremu, have continued to pose as a major threat across sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated 7.2 million cases recorded annually.

The expert, in an interview argued that Nigeria’s situation is becoming increasingly worrisome as new evidence shows extremely high infection rates and dwindling treatment options due to AntiMicrobial Resistance (AMR).

Aremu further emphasized that new study published in the PLOS One journal indicates that 36.5% of screened participants tested positive for Salmonella Typhi, the bacterium responsible for typhoid fever.

Young adults and residents of semi-urban communities, he said were found to be disproportionately affected, and equally alarming is the study’s findings that 76% of bacterial isolates showed resistance to at least three commonly used antibiotics, sharply limiting clinicians’ ability to treat infections effectively.

“We are dealing with a severe public health threat,” said Kolawole Aremu, a Research Associate at the Trans-Saharan Diseases Research Center, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Lapai, Niger state and one of the study’s lead investigators said.

He further explained that, “Our data revealed complete resistance to first-line antibiotics meaning these drugs are essentially ineffective in many patients.”

“Untreated or poorly managed infections, he pointed out could result in severe complications, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality.
Public health experts responding to the study emphasized the urgent need for improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure; stricter regulation of antibiotic sales; and widespread community health education”, he said and called on healthcare providers to adopt more responsible prescribing practices in line with global AMR containment guidelines.

Also speaking, the research team led by Prof. Dickson A. Musa of IBBU, Lapai said tested Salmonella isolates against selected widely used antibiotics.

While Gentamicin and Levofloxacin demonstrated comparatively high effectiveness at 78.5% and 83.6% respectively, resistance rates to older and commonly prescribed drugs were strikingly high: Chloramphenicol (96.8%), Tetracycline (79.5%), and Amoxicillin (100%).

The study conducted between August 2023 and August 2024 across multiple communities in Niger State, Prof. Dickson further pointed out highlights several key drivers of both typhoid transmission and antimicrobial resistance.

Poor sanitation, contaminated water sources, and widespread misuse of antibiotics, it was also discovered were identified as the most significant factors.

Participants relying on tap water showed a 57.1% infection rate, compared to 25.6% among borehole users hence pointing to serious contamination within public water systems.

Also, self-medication and over-the-counter access to antibiotics, particularly Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid combinations, were also strongly linked to multidrug resistance.