ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: An outbreak of typhoid fever among school children of a school in military station in central India is reported here. It comprises of 98 students out of which 87 students were from one school. METHODS: Detailed epidemiological case sheets were filled for cases and active case finding surveys were conducted among the school students during the period of study. It included 3313 students of the affected school. RESULT: Attack rate of the affected school was 2.62 percent (RR 13.38, 99% CI of RR 10.8, 16.12). Blood samples were found to have Salmonella typhi in 5.43%. Eighty six blood samples (87.75%) were positive for Widal test. Sanitary survey revealed fecal contamination of water supply leading to the outbreak. CONCLUSION: We recommend having a sound vaccination programme for children, adequate chlorination of water supply and formation of local groups at school level to monitor water quality on a daily basis.
