Typhoon fever contained

ALABEL, Sarangani (February 26, 2010) – Government health workers on Friday (February 26) rushed to contain the spread of typhoid fever in a far-flung village here.

“We have conducted further investigation and control measures including provisions of free medicines and health education drive to the community and determining the cause of occurrence,” said Honorato Fabio, municipal health officer.

“So far, the number of cases are tapering down which is the usual pattern of typhoid fever.”

Typhoid fever is a serious infection accompanied by high fever. Its transmission occurs through the intake of contaminated food or water. Its risk of infection is fairly low.

Fabio said the municipal health center has recently received a list of patients with febrile illnesses together with two walk-in patients presenting signs and symptoms of typhoid fever from Salimama, Datal Anggas.

Diagnosis showed the two were positive of Samonella Typhi, the causative agent for typhoid fever.

Datal Anggas is one of the town’s farthest barangays populated by the indigenous Blaan.

“We found out that the source of drinking water by the population were either doubtful or contaminated,” Fabio said.

The municipal health center identified 35 suspected, probable and confirmed cases of typhoid fever.

But Fabio said “we are continually monitoring the situation and attending new cases at the area and walk-in cases.”

Confirmed cases were determined by the Department of Health’s Research Institute of Tropical Medicine.

Fabio said other cases in the community with the same signs and symptoms but not tested could be presumed as typhoid cases also for better preventive measures.

Handwashing, avoiding untreated drinking water and eating raw or unwashed fruits and vegetables are some practical guidelines to avoid the disease. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATIN OFFICE)