Baja California recorded 117 confirmed cases of paratyphoid fever between January 1 and April 18, 2026, up from just nine cases during the same period last year. That represents a 1,200% increase, according to the federal Secretaría de Salud’s Epidemiological Bulletin.
Women account for a disproportionate share of the diagnoses: 98 of the 117 confirmed patients, or more than 83%. Health officials have linked the surge to rising temperatures that accelerate food spoilage, particularly in seafood, pork, poultry, and raw produce.
What Is Paratyphoid Fever?
Paratyphoid fever is a bacterial illness caused by Salmonella Paratyphi. It produces symptoms similar to typhoid fever, including gradually increasing fatigue, high fever, chills, headache, and abdominal pain. Diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are common. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, severe cases can lead to gastrointestinal hemorrhage or intestinal perforation, though the case fatality ratio is roughly half that of typhoid when patients receive prompt treatment.
Untreated, the illness can last a month. With timely medical care, the fatality rate typically stays below 1%.
Common Causes and Prevention
Doctors say the most frequent culprits behind the outbreak are cross-contamination from shared cutting boards, poor refrigeration during the trip from market to kitchen, and produce that has not been properly washed. In Baja California’s warm spring and summer months, bacteria multiply faster in food left at room temperature even briefly.
Basic precautions can reduce risk. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables. Refrigerate perishable items within two hours of purchase. Wash all fruits and vegetables under running water, and cook seafood, pork, and poultry to safe internal temperatures.
When to Seek Medical Care
Physicians are urging anyone who develops fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain to visit a doctor rather than self-medicate. Some over-the-counter anti-diarrheal and anti-inflammatory drugs can cause damage to the gallbladder or kidneys when taken during a paratyphoid infection. Blood culture is the standard method for diagnosing the illness, and treatment typically involves antibiotics prescribed based on resistance testing.
Dehydration is the most immediate danger, especially for older adults and young children. Oral rehydration solutions are a critical first step, but severe cases may require intravenous fluids in a hospital setting.
The data was first reported by El Imparcial and Baja California Post, citing the federal Secretaría de Salud’s weekly epidemiological bulletin.