DOH-7 sends more aid to typhoid-stricken town

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Health (DOH)-7 has assured more assistance to Barili town as health officials continue to investigate the cause of the rising cases of typhoid fever in the area.

Dr. Ronald Jarvick Buscato, DOH-7 medical officer, said they have already sent 50 Typhood RDt kits and rectal swab kits to help the municipal government. Buscato said they also provided additional health care workers in order to check the cause of the typhoid cases in the town as well as additional equipment for the district hospital and infirmary.

“Every other day na update sad na nato ang mga needed nila nga medicines, nangayo sila og additional nila nga community nga commodities like aqua tabs, even mga gamit sa hospitals nangayo na sad sila ana and we are doing our best to provide this kay kahibawo man ta nga dili naman gyud automatic nga makahatag ang DOH karon especially because of universal health care,” said Buscato.

Health authorities have initially looked into the water sources as possible cause.

“Although the most common is the water source but let’s not discount the handling of food, the preparation of food and of course the sanitation in the community,” said Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal, cluster head of Regional Epidemiological and Surveillance Unit (RESU)-7.

Cañal said that the region has registered 427 typhoid fever cases since January 1, 2022 up to June 22, 2022. Majority of these cases or 49 percent were found in Cebu Province.

The age of those infected ranges from one year old to 100 years old with ages 1 to10 as the most of affected age group.

“Apparently ang cases sa Barili ang atong nakuha is 53 cases,” said Cañal.

Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella Typhi bacteria. Among the symptoms of typhoid fever includes fever, body malaise, headache, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea.

DOH-7 officials have urged the public to practice good hygiene, especially frequent hand washing, to avoid the disease. — Rowena Capistrano and Decemay Padilla, FPL (FREEMAN)