'I was left seriously ill on holiday with deadly disease after touching a cat'
A 26-year-old woman caught a potentially deadly infection while on holiday after she stroked a cat. Alysha, 26, from Leeds, who has asked for her full identity to be kept private, fell seriously ill after catching typhoid while on holiday.
Alysha was left unconscious and dangerously dehydrated on a remote island with no hospital access when she suddenly developed symptoms later diagnosed as salmonella and typhoid fever when her illness was triggered after touching and feeding stray cats. In Thailand alone, it’s estimated that there are close to a million stray cats and dogs.
She said: “It started with severe aches throughout my whole body, almost like my bones were bruised. Then came the fever – I was violently shivering in 34C heat, then vomiting constantly. I couldn’t even keep water down – that’s when I knew I needed urgent help.”
Alysha was staying on Gili Trawangan, a remote Indonesian island known for its party scene and no-motorbike policy – but also lacking any hospital, pharmacy or emergency medical infrastructure. The hostel staff had to call a doctor directly to Alysha’s room because she was too weak to move.
She said: “The first doctor was amazing and kind despite my phobia of needles. But after he left the island, the second one wasn’t as kind. He barely spoke English and left me on a drip that was flowing way too fast.”
When Alysha stood up to go to the toilet, she passed out, later discovering the IV had been set to release three drips per second, a dangerously high rate that should be monitored by trained professionals.
Alysha said: “I found out later that even one to two drips per second needs constant observation. At that rate, it could have caused a cardiac arrest. It was honestly terrifying.”
Despite being severely unwell, Alysha had to catch a flight to Thailand a few days later and received hospital treatment. Though the journey was “horrific,” she is now on the mend and wants to share her story to highlight the hidden risks of casual animal contact in countries with lower hygiene standards.
“Everyone tells you to avoid dodgy food, but no one warns you that you can catch serious infections just by stroking stray animals. I hadn’t even considered what I might catch – but typhoid is no joke.”
Shuban Kotwal, Product Director at Away Holidays, is urging UK tourists to take precautions when travelling to high-risk areas:
- Avoid physical contact with stray animals , no matter how tame or friendly they appear
- Get vaccinated for typhoid before travelling to regions where sanitation may be limited – this includes much of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.
- Take out comprehensive travel insurance that covers emergency medical evacuations
- Pack a basic first aid kit including rehydration salts, antiseptic, and anti-diarrhoeal medication
- Seek medical attention immediately if experiencing fever, stomach pain, or dehydration
Shuban said: “While a beautiful holiday destination, many regions remain rural or under-resourced, meaning even minor illnesses can become critical without quick intervention. Alysha’s experience is a stark reminder that even low-risk behaviours like petting cats can have dangerous consequences when combined with poor sanitation and a lack of access to professional medical care.”
Typhoid fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (S. Typhi). It mainly spreads through the ingestion of food or water contaminated with an infected person's faeces. It causes prolonged fever, weakness, stomach pain, headache, loss of appetite and sometimes a rash.
Without treatment, it can lead to intestinal bleeding or perforation, which can be life-threatening - with mortality rates of between 10% and 30%. Some people can have recurring symptoms even after initial recovery and a small number of people become “chronic carriers,” shedding bacteria for years.
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