Cyprus recorded six cases of endemic typhus fever in the last six months, which were hospitalized in public and private hospitals, with two of them in the Intensive Care Unit, CNA has learned. However, the Ministry of Health reassures that no deaths have been reported. According to information obtained by the Cyprus News Agency, Cyprus recorded six cases of typhus fever in the last six months, which were hospitalised in public and private hospitals, with two of them in the Intensive Care Unit. However, the Ministry of Health reassures that no deaths have been recorded since 2011 when cases started to be officially recorded. The Ministry of Health reassures that typhus fever is “fully curable”. In addition, isolated cases are reported sporadically every year in the Republic of Cyprus. In statements to CNA, Ministry of Health Spokesperson Demetris Constantinou reassured that since 2011, when endemic typhus cases began to be recorded through official channels, there have been no deaths. He said sporadic isolated cases are reported every year in the Republic of Cyprus. When asked if the number of cases is such that it causes concern to the Ministry of Health, Constantinou stated that “typhus is curable” and that “it is fully treated with the administration of antibiotics.”Pendemic typhus cannot be transmitted from person to person and can be treated with antibiotics that are available on the market. The Cyprus News Agency has obtained the official data of confirmed cases of typhus fever since 2011, according to which the number of cases annually does not exceed 30. Specifically, the highest number of cases in the Republic of Cyprus was recorded in 2012 with 30 cases, while the lowest was recorded in 2020 and 2022 with 5 cases annually. The only recorded case so far in 2023 was hospitalised last week in a private hospital in Nicosia. The official data also show that in 2011, 21 cases were recorded, while in 2013, 10 cases were recorded. In 2014, there were 9 cases, while 6 cases were recorded in 2015. In addition, 20 cases were recorded in 2016, another 8 cases in 2017, 14 cases in 2018, 17 cases in 2019, and 10 cases in 2021. Typhus fever is transmitted through bites or infectious fluids (such as excrement) that enter the body through the skin by ectoparasites, such as ticks, fleas, lice, and mites that are found on various animals (rodents, sheep, and cows). Inhalation of bacteria or contact of an open wound with infectious material can also lead to infection. Clinical manifestations vary depending on the etiologic agent and the patient. Symptoms typically appear within 1-2 weeks. The Ministry of Health has issued recommendations regarding individual protective measures that can be taken, such as good hand hygiene, adherence to personal hygiene measures, food safety, and proper washing/cooking before consumption, as well as avoiding bites from ticks and contact with ticks and the proper and timely removal of attached ticks. Additionally, caution is advised during outdoor activities and the use of appropriate clothing and insect repellent, careful and frequent inspection of the body and clothing for ticks during outdoor activities and after returning home, and protection of pets and domestic animals from ticks.
Source: Cyprus News Agency