In Alegria: "Typhoid fever" downs 150 people

CEBU, Philippines – An estimated 150 people from two barangays in the municipality of Alegria were reported to have been infected by typhoid fever.

In a report over Balitang Bisdak yesterday, municipal health authorities have not yet determined the real cause of the said illness but they believed that it came from the food and water.

The two affected barangays were reported to be barangays Sta. Filomena and Poblacion.

Dr. Christina Giango of the Integrated Provincial Health Office said over on a phone interview that they are still conducting some laboratory tests to know if it was really typhoid fever that hit Alegria.

"Suspect pa (typhoid fever), dili pa ta makaingon nga tipos na gyud," Giango said.

Giango said they already sent some medics to get sample from the patients through rectal swab and blood. They will also get samples where residents of the affected barangays get their water.

She said a person who suffers from typhoid will have fever as high as 40 degrees Celsius that lasts for about two weeks, diarrhea, and profuse sweating.

According to her, typhoid is due to the presence of the bacteria salmonella-typhi from the dirty food and water. She said that the bacteria or the illness can be acquired through oral contamination.

Dr. Samson Dela Peña, Municipal Health Officer of Alegria, said over Balitang Bisdak that there is enough medicine for the patients.

A medical mission from the army in Alegria will arrive today to help them in the situation.

Victims were brought to the Malabuyoc District Hospital and Reinheart Wertgen Memorial Hospital in the town of Malabuyoc.

Meanwhile, 90 patients from the Danao City coming from barangays Maslog, Sabang, Looc, and Quisol were admitted to the Danao City Hospital due to diarrhea.

Because of the incident, chlorinators were installed at water pumping stations in the said barangays. Water sampling was done yesterday morning to confirm whether or not the cause of diarrhea is waterborne. - With Jose P. Sollano and reports from BANAT News/BRP (FREEMAN)