Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Mar 22: Tamil Nadu is among the major contributors to India’s rising economic burden from Typhoid fever, with high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and growing antibiotic resistance worsening the strain on households, a new study has found.

The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia, estimates the national economic impact of typhoid at Rs 1.23 lakh crore in 2023, with Tamil Nadu among five States accounting for over half of the total cost.

A key concern highlighted is the heavy financial burden on families, who bear nearly 91 per cent of treatment expenses, largely due to dependence on private healthcare services.

Researchers noted a rise in severe cases and hospitalisations, particularly among children aged five to nine, as first-line antibiotics lose effectiveness. Resistance to commonly used drugs such as fluoroquinolones has further complicated treatment, often leading to prolonged illness, extended hospital stays, and the need for more expensive, higher-generation antibiotics.

The study identified antimicrobial resistance as a major driver, with fluoroquinolone-resistant infections contributing to 87 per cent of the total economic burden. Children under the age of 10 account for more than half of the overall impact, underlining their vulnerability.

It also estimated that around 70,000 families across India faced catastrophic health expenditure due to typhoid, reflecting the limited role of public health spending in covering treatment costs.

The findings underline the need for early introduction of typhoid conjugate vaccines under the national immunisation programme, along with stronger antibiotic stewardship and improved diagnostic access.

Experts emphasised that targeted preventive measures in high-burden States like Tamil Nadu and reducing reliance on out-of-pocket care will be crucial to easing both the health and financial impact of the disease.