The number of cases of typhoid in the outbreak in Auckland continues to mount and more cases may come to light, according to health officials.
As of Thursday, there are 18 confirmed cases of typhoid in Auckland. There is also one probable case and a further two cases are under investigation. Of these, there are six people currently in hospital; some patients have now been discharged.
Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) notes the small number of new cases coming forward indicates the outbreak may have plateaued; however, more cases may come to light as a result of the work ARPHS is doing to trace those who have been in contact with people confirmed as having typhoid.
Typhoid has a typical incubation period of 8-14 days but incubation can be up to 80 days. This means cases may emerge over the course of several weeks.
All the cases are connected to the Mt Roskill Samoan Assembly of God Church and health officials continue to work with the church community. This includes engaging with the cases, their contacts and church leaders of this community, prioritizing those people with the greatest clinical risk and those at greatest risk of exposure to the bacteria.
Learn more about typhoid fever in this educational video
Related: Typhoid antimicrobial resistance: ‘We are approaching a crisis’
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