http://www.hcphes.org/php2/typhoid%20fact%20sheet.htm
We should have a preparedness plan such as identified antibiotic and in good supply.
Educating ourselves is # one way to avoid infection from diseases like cholera and typhoid.
IMHO San Pedro has been setting a stage for these diseases with its unplanned development. Blame can come later but right now we should get our asses prepared...no pun intended...well maybe a little :-)
What antibiotic treatment is currently suggested ?

I called the Ministry of Health about typhoid vaccinations this week. I was told that Belize does not stock typhoid vaccinations because there is no guarantee of their efficacy and it gives people a false sense of security.

Huh?

The antibiotics are for after you get it to stop yourself from rapid dehydration to death.
Quick attention with IV fluids and antibiotics are the trick to surviving. I was in North Africa/Tunisia in the 80's and saw people who literally shit themselves to death from ignorance of what to do.
“boil it, cook it, peel if or forget it.' is a great way to prevent getting it, better still is development of good water supply and septic systems so it doesn't get around in the first place.
In a nut shell here it is" Cholera and typhoid fever are bacterial diseases that are acquired by the
consumption, mainly of water, but sometimes of food, that has been contaminated by
sewage containing the excrement of people suffering from the disease."

Its no big deal if diagnosed. I got typhoid yrs ago, came down with the symptoms about a week later, its treated with antibiotics, in my case, chlorinphenicol (probably not spelled correct) and now there are better drugs for it. I also used bush medicine to treat the symptons and promote the healing process. Cholera is the same-know the symptoms, get treatment and stay rehydrated. All you need are simple antibiotics. Nothing to worry about and the health dept always announces outbreaks. I was a very healthy person with typhoid. The health dept is right. There are two kinds of thyphoid; one the shot can work for and the other the shot doesn't do a thing to prevent. Its important to semi quarantine yourself-wash your hands after going to the bathroom, use a different bathroom than others use if possible and stay away from preparing or cleaning up in the kitchen. I tested clean about 10 days later.

The San Pedro Sun came out with some interesting info on this today. San Pedro Health inspector Ms. Tillet reported residents that tested positive, however it sounds like more testing and better tests are in order.
My belief is wells and septic on the same small lots in San Pedro can cycle fecal matter for generations, the inhabitants adapt and unless a very harmful bacteria is in the cycle there is no problem. Its when something like Cholera or Typhoid are introduced by a sick person using the system that the system become the spreading agent. Thats why I say San Pedro is setting the stage for a serious health problem, we have only been lucky... so far.

You're right, but remember, you really need a stool sample and these people only had blood tests to confirm typhoid. It spreads very quickly if it is.

Elbert,
I couldn't agree more with waste water polluting the ground water on the Caye. There are solutions that can be implemented to control waster water entering the water table. One I have been researching are constructed wetlands. Basically a closed 3 stage septic. The final stage instead of having a soak away, a sealed planter bed filled with plantings that use the nutrients in the waste water. It never goes to ground. These systems have been in use in Akumal Mexico for 20 years with success in helping keep their ground water cleaner. Dive shops, hotel and private homes have installed these systems.
I think this is something that could work on Ambergris Caye .Here is a link with more information.
http://www.ceakumal.org/html_en/programs/water_quality.php

I wasn't talking about antibiotics - I was talking about the vaccines recommended by the WHO and available in most other countries. I find it weird that Belize just doesn't do them.

Some further info:

"Effectiveness of the VaccineTop
The efficacy of the two licensed vaccines ranges from 50% to 80%.

The oral vaccine has shown a protective efficacy of 62% for at least seven years after the last dose. The inactivated vaccine for its part, showed a 55% efficacy in a recent study in South Africa three years after immunization of children 5 to 16 years of age."

If there is a vaccine available that gives 50-80% protection, I'm quite willing to consider getting that vaccine and reduce my risks of the unpleasantness of the disease. I still think it is strange that it isn't available here.

Dra Mendez at 223 5962 or 602 7077 brings the shots in from Guatemala, call her.