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The article examines the earthquake that impacted the nation of Nepal in April 2015. Particular focus is given to how the post-earthquake conditions there are increasing the risk of a typhoid epidemic. Additional topics discussed include the typhoid vaccine, how some typhoid strains are becoming resistant to antibiotics and insights on the topic from the World Health Organization (WHO).

We conducted a prospective hospital based study from February 2009-April 2011 to identify the possible pathogens of central nervous system (CNS) infections in adults admitted to a tertiary referral hospital (Patan Hospital) in Kathmandu, Nepal. The pathogens of CNS infections were confirmed in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using molecular diagnostics, culture (bacteria) and serology. 87 patients were recruited for the study and the etiological diagnosis was established in 38% (n = 33). The bacterial pathogens identified were Neisseria meningitidis (n=6); Streptococcus pneumoniae (n=5) andStaphylococcus aureus (n=2) in 13/ 87(14%). Enteroviruses were found in 12/87 (13%); Herpes Simplex virus (HSV) in 2/87(2%). IgM against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) was detected in the CSF of 11/73 (15%) tested samples. This is the first prospective molecular and serology based CSF analysis in adults with CNS infections in Kathmandu, Nepal. JEV and enteroviruses were the most commonly detected pathogens in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]