It is hoped that the breakthrough research by the Brighton scientists will demonstrate how typhoid spreads through poor urban communities so that more effective barriers to the disease can be put in place. The work in India is the latest example of the Brighton team’s efforts to support disease prevention in developing countries. Previously the team played a key role in responding to the 2010 cholera outbreak in Haiti and its advice was later sought by the WHO in response to the West African Ebola outbreak.
Dr Ebdon led the Kolkata work, which is part of the ‘’ project, run by the Global Centre for Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene at in Atlanta. He works alongside the Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯’s , Research Fellow in the School of Environment and Technology, who has made similar progress in Africa, with funding from the Medical Research Council.
Professor Huw Taylor, the Ογ½ΆΦ±²₯’s Professor of Microbial Ecology, accompanied Dr Ebdon in India. He said: “This is a very exciting step forward for water and sanitation research at the university. In recent years we have become widely-recognised for the global impact of our work but James’ success in India, along with Diogo’s advances in rural Kenya, are now using Brighton’s practical knowledge for the benefit of those in greatest need.”