Salmonella and Shigella infections in Switzerland, with special reference to typhoid vaccination for travellers.

This prospective study reveals that 48% of 368 salmonelloses and 81% of 43 shigelloses diagnosed within one year in the Zurich area were imported from abroad. Travellers in close contact with the local population have a higher risk of being affected by typhoid fever or shigellosis than the average tourist. The clinical course was generally mild, and there was no lethal case. As the incidence of Salmonella typhi is very low, typhoid vaccination is recommended only for high-risk travellers.