City health head denies typhoid fever outbreak

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City Health Office has denied any outbreak of typhoid fever in sitio Sudtungan, barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.

City Health Officer Dr. Rodolfo Berame issued the statement in response to a barangay resolution of the Sangguniang Barangay of Basak which had declared a state of emergency in October.

He said the move had no factual basis.

"Only the Department of Health with the City Health Department can declare an epidemic," Berame said.

To date, Berame said there is no recorded incidence of typhoid fever in barangay Basak as stated in the barangay resolution dated 03 October 2011.

"Our health workers sent to the area found out that people they listed suffer from pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and gastroenteritis," Berame said.

Records show the number of dengue cases in barangay Basak had decreased from around 70 in 2009 to 40 in 2010 and to 20 cases in 2011.

Berame said health workers advise residents to boil water for ten to fifteen minutes before making this available for drinking.

Water samples from an open deep well and an artesian well failed to meet the acceptable standards of the Department of Health for drinking water.

Boiling water should be practiced when sources come from open deep wells and manually pumped artesian wells.

On the other hand, members of the city council will refer barangay Basak's resolution to the committee on health and laws.

The resolution will also be referred to the Department of Health. (FREEMAN)