A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia has revealed that antibiotic resistance is responsible for a major share of the economic burden caused by Typhoid fever in India. According to the research, drug-resistant infections accounted for nearly 87 percent of the total cost linked to the disease in 2023.
The study estimated that the total economic burden of typhoid in India reached around Rs. 123 billion. A large part of this cost was due to infections that did not respond well to common antibiotics, especially fluoroquinolones. These drugs are usually used to treat severe typhoid cases, but resistance has made treatment more difficult and expensive.
Children under the age of 10 were found to be the most affected group. They contributed to more than half of the total costs. Researchers also found that families bore most of the financial burden, covering about 91 percent of the expenses. Around 70,000 households faced what experts call “catastrophic” health spending, meaning the costs were too high for them to manage easily.
The study highlighted that states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal together accounted for over half of the total costs in the country. These regions have a higher number of cases and limited healthcare resources.
Typhoid fever spreads mainly through contaminated food and water. Common symptoms include high fever, weakness, stomach pain, and headache. If not treated properly, it can lead to serious health problems.
Experts say the findings support the need to introduce the typhoid conjugate vaccine into India’s national immunisation programme. They also stress the importance of controlling antibiotic misuse to reduce resistance.
Overall, the study shows that antibiotic resistance is not just a health issue but also a major economic challenge, especially for families in developing regions.
