Tuburan typhoid outbreak dead now 4, afflicted 555

CEBU, Philippines - The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has reported 555 total cases of typhoid fever in Tuburan town in midnorthern Cebu, with four deaths and eight admissions as of yesterday afternoon.

The Department of Health (DOH) declared a typhoid outbreak in the town with its Regional Epidemiological Surveillance Unit conducting a massive operation in the town by administering antibiotics and medication among the residents.

 Tuburan health officials earlier reported about 300 residents believed to be suffering from typhoid fever with 60 others already testing positive of the virus.

IPHO chief Dr. Cristina Giango was in the area to monitor and distribute medicines and fluids upon the instruction of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Garcia also went to the area yesterday shortly after she attended the general assembly of Cebu CFI Community Cooperative at the Cebu International Convention Center with Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and former senator Francisco “Kit” Tatad as guests of honor.

Garcia instructed Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO) Marivic Garces to process immediately assistance to the families of those who died.

Giasha Aquilla, 7, of barangay Cogon was the first confirmed dead, while Kevin Hernane of Poblacion, Tuburan and Angelita Rico of Barangay Kagbao died at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

The DOH 7 Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit believes that there could be more victims as they suspect the town’s three springs to be contaminated typhoid-causing bacteria.

DOH-7 Regional Epidemiologist Renan Cimafranca said that as of yesterday, 447 people underwent consultation for possible typhoid fever.

He said it was first reported to them last February 20, and 31 were already hospitalized and three have already died. A team from DOH will be in Tuburan today to conduct orientation and case finding.

“Aside from that we will also investigate as there is a possibility that the three springs, which is the water source maybe contaminated,” Cimafranca said.

Nine out of the 54 barangays of Tuburan are affected with the typhoid outbreak. Cimafranca added that they will also check the local water system of the town considering that it is reportedly being treated once a week and treatment is done manually.

He added that over the weekend, DOH gave 10 boxes of medicines benefiting 700 households to stop the spread of typhoid fever.

Typhoid is transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person which contain the bacterium Salmonella enterica, serovar Typhi. The bacteria is spread because of poor hygiene habits and public sanitation conditions, and sometimes also by flying insects feeding on feces. Typhoid spread in environments where human feces or urine come in contact with food or drinking water. – (FREEMAN)