There have been several outbreaks of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) strains of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi that cause extensively drug resistant (XDR) typhoid fever in Pakistan. It has been observed that many clinicians use serological diagnostic tests such as Widal agglutination, and TyphiDOT that detects IgM and IgG antibodies against the outer membrane protein of S. Typhi. However, it has been confirmed by many scientists that these test may lead to misdiagnosis against XDR S. Typhi. Due to lack of implementation strategies health authorities are unable to hamper Widal or TyphiDOT tests which are still practiced in many rural and urban areas.
Viral pathogens are mounting day by day and it is anticipated that soon viruses would emerge as highly dangerous entities. Recent pandemic of COVID-19 due to Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused millions of deaths, and still situation is out of control worldwide. Multiple epidemics of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus MERS-CoV reported from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and 21 other countries within three years have influenced international health organizations for emergency preparedness and respose. After Saudi Arabia, second largest MERS-CoV outbreak occurred in the Republic of Korea which caused 186 infections and 36 deaths. Among Muslims, Hajj and Umrah are deeply engraved to their souls, and visiting Holy places of Makkah and Madinah (Cities of Saudi Arabia) is part of Religion Islam. Therefore restricted permission to visit such places is not the permanent solution and several challenges need to be tackled scientifically. By acquiring adequate vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 or similar viruses and adopting international health standards, the pandemic related threats can be rectified.