81 typhoid cases in Cebu town puzzle authorities

CEBU, Philippines - The 81 cases of typhoid fever reported in one barangay of the town of Alegria in the southwestern side of Cebu have puzzled health officials.

The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is trying to find out what caused the outbreak in Barangay Valencia.

Alegria has a total of 9 barangays, but only residents of Valencia have been affected.

Provincial Health Officer Cristina Giango said that of the 81 cases, 27 are confined at the Badian District Hospital and in Reinhard Hospital in Alegria.

She said that their personnel are already in Alegria since last Saturday to distribute medicine and conduct health education.

Jen Lerio, head nurse of the Alegria Rural Health Unit, told The FREEMAN that typhoid fever is a waterborne disease which is usually acquired when one drinks contaminated water.

Octavios Acebo, the municipal sanitary inspector, said that they conducted a water test on July 5 and the result showed it was negative of Escherichia coli or Ecoli bacteria.

Ecoli bacteria are commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms including humans. These bacteria can cause serious illness, which eventually lead to death if not treated immediately.

Acebo said that it was on July 8 when they started receiving reports about the illness.

The usual symptoms of typhoid fever may appear 3 to 6 days after infection. While some people experience only mild symptoms, the condition can be quite serious.

Common symptoms include high fever, weakness, stomach pains, and a rash of flat, rose-colored spots.

If left untreated, other signs and symptoms may develop, including intestinal bleeding, hepatitis, meningitis, and even death.

Acebo added that the affected persons reside at the far flung areas of the town.

He even wonders where the disease stemmed since everyone in the town is using the same source of water except those who are drinking purified water.

“Pareha mig linya sa tubig nga gigamit pero kami who live diri sa ubos wala man masakit even those who are drinking purified water nangasakit man gani,” Acebo told The FREEMAN.

He added that mostly of the affected persons do not have comfort rooms.

Another water test will be conducted today.

The residents of the town have been advised to boil their water for drinking when it is sourced from the spring or deep well.

Personnel of the Department of Health are set to go to the town today to conduct blood testing and other laboratory examinations to determine what kind of bacteria hit the town.

Last December, the DOH declared an outbreak of typhoid fever in the same town as over 300 were afflicted. Due to the outbreak, a state of calamity was declared in the town located 115 kilometers from Cebu City.

Most of the victims came from Barangays Santa Filomena and Poblacion. — /NLQ - (THE FREEMAN)