What We Do
Typhoid and paratyphoid fevers are infections that can be serious. Most often linked to the consumption of contaminated food, they have become rare in mainland France. Cases diagnosed in France are most often the result of travel to endemic areas (regions with poor hygiene standards). These infections pose a public health concern. Cases of infection among people living in group settings or handling food in a professional capacity are subject to temporary exclusion (from school, daycare, work, etc.) to prevent any risk of spread.
Epidemiological Surveillance of Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fevers
Surveillance of typhoid and paratyphoid fevers in France is based on mandatory reporting and a network of partners.
Mandatory reporting
Typhoid and paratyphoid fevers have been notifiable diseases since 1903 (Law of February 15, 1902, on the protection of public health; Official Journal of February 19, 1902; Decree No. 99-363 of May 6, 1999, establishing the list of diseases subject to mandatory reporting of individual data to the health authority and amending the Public Health Code).
Mandatory reporting enables the study of the disease’s epidemiological characteristics, the monitoring of evolving trends, and the detection of clusters of cases that may be linked to a common source. It also allows for the investigation of causes and modes of transmission, in order to limit the spread of the disease by implementing preventive measures.
Surveillance is also microbiological: strains of Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi isolated in clinical laboratories are voluntarily submitted to the National Reference Center (CNR) for Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Shigella at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, which conducts microbiological surveillance of the strains.
Until 2003, the reporting criterion was a positive blood culture for Salmonella Typhi or Salmonella Paratyphi A or B. Since 2003, the reporting criteria have been revised to align with the European definition and are now “a clinical presentation suggestive of typhoid or paratyphoid fever associated with the isolation of Salmonella Typhi or Paratyphi A, B, or C, regardless of the site of isolation.”
Infections caused by other Salmonella serotypes (so-called “minor” Salmonella) do not need to be reported unless they are part of a cluster of cases during a foodborne illness outbreak (FBI), in which case they fall under the mandatory reporting requirements for FBIs.
Definition of cases to be reported and notified
| Reported cases | Type of notification form | Notifiable cases | Reporting and notification criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirmed cases | Downloadable simple form | Confirmed cases |
Confirmed case: clinical presentation suggestive of typhoid or paratyphoid fever associated with isolation of Salmonella Typhi, Paratyphi A, B, or C, regardless of the site of isolation. Note: Do not report positive serology results for Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi, nor infections caused by other Salmonella serotypes (e.g., S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis), regardless of the site of isolation |
Notification Form
Informing the public about the reporting of notifiable diseases
A network of partners
This surveillance program relies on several partners:
National Reference Center (CNR) for Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Shigella
PASTEUR INSTITUTE / RESEARCH AND EXPERTISE UNIT FOR ENTERIC PATHOGENIC
BACTERIA 28 RUE DU DOCTEUR ROUX
75724 PARIS CEDEX 15
Name of the person in charge: Dr. François-Xavier WEILL
Tel.: 01 45 68 83 45 - Fax: 01 45 68 83 45
Email: salmonella@pasteur.fr; colishig@pasteur.fr; francois-xavier.weill@pasteur.fr
To learn more about the missions of the National Reference Centers, click here.
Preventive measures against typhoid and paratyphoid fever
Santé publique France promotes vaccination through various tools (website, promotional campaigns, brochures, etc.). We have created an informational website on the different vaccinations available in France to provide reliable, scientifically validated answers to questions the public and healthcare professionals may have on the subject.
A section dedicated to typhoid fever vaccination is available in two distinct areas: one aimed at the general public and the other at healthcare professionals, to better support them in their practice.
In addition, the Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin (BEH), which focuses on health recommendations for travelers, is updated annually based on changes in disease epidemiology, advances in knowledge, and the introduction of new regulations. These recommendations help inform travelers and healthcare professionals about best practices before traveling to high-risk areas.
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In relation to
Vaccination
thematic dossier
Contagious diseases most often affect children at a very young age. Because children are particularly vulnerable, they are a priority target for vaccination programs.
