Typhoid cases up but no cause for alarm says DOH

PIA Press Release Monday, June 06, 2011

Typhoid cases up but no cause for alarm says DOH

by Elsa S. Subong

ILOILO, June 6 (PIA) –- Some 369 kids in 22 towns in Iloilo have been stricken by typhoid fever these last five months, according to the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) of the Department of Health (DOH)6.

DOH said the situation, which affected mostly children, is not considered alarming and a declaration of a typhoid outbreak is not immediate. No deaths have been reported in Iloilo.

The DOH report showed the municipality of Sara to have the highest cases numbering 36, followed by Cabatuan with 31, Janiuay, 27, Barotac Nievo, 26, dumanags, 24, San dionisio, 22, Calinog and Pototan, 17, Ajuy 13, Concepcion, 13, Oton, 11, and Passi City, 11.

The towns of Anilao, Barotac Viejo, Dingle, Igbaras, Leon, Miagao, San Joaquin, and Zarraga had two cases each; while Alimodian, Batad, Lambunao, San Enrique, San Rafael and Tubungan, had one case each.

In Negros Occidental DOH reported that it has a 60 percent increase and three deaths, with Calatrava, Kabankalan City and San Carlos City as top three areas with typhoid cases

Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella bacteria and can be transmitted through ingestion of food and water contaminated with human waste.

DOH said the symptoms of typhoid fever include sustained high fever, headache, body weakness, loss of appetite and diarrhea. Medical consultation is immediately advised for patients observed to have these symptoms.

To prevent typhoid fever, DOH advocates the boiling of water for drinking, water chlorination, cooking food well and covering them, washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating or cooking, washing hands thoroughly and keeping surroundings clean. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Cabatuan.com - Timeline 2011