Typhoid outbreak noted in waterfront barangays
An outbreak of typhoid cases has been noted in the city particularly in the waterfront barangays. One patient was confirmed dead last month while a number of cases were not reported at the City Health Office (CHO).
Mayor Jerry Treñas yesterday said he has directed all the barangay captains in the city to monitor and report any occurrence of typhoid cases in their respective barangays. All the barangay workers are also mobilized to assist the people and disseminate information regarding typhoid fever.
Initial report reaching the city hall showed that one of the victims of typhoid fever died last February 28, 2008. The fatality was identified as Roberto Jusayan, 35, of Veterans Village, City Proper. There were also a number of unreported cases in barangays Concepcion and Gen. Hughes, all in the city proper.
Typhoid fever is characterized by a sustained fever as high as 40 degrees Centigrade or 104 degrees Fahrenheit. A victim suffers profuse sweating, gastroenteritis and diarrhea.
The mayor failed to give the exact number of typhoid victims as he is still awaiting the report of Dr. Urminico Baronda, chief of the City Health Office (CHO). Baronda was not in his office when called to confirm the report.
Aside from the barangay health workers, Treñas also instructed Inspector Dande Deocampo of the Waterfront Detachment to help the barangay workers in identifying and monitoring all the victims of typhoid fever.
The city government also made coordinations with the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) to check on their pipes which might have leaks causing contamination in the source of the drinking water of the residents.
Further, Treñas urged residents who are fond of eating street foods to be extra careful with the reported cases of typhoid in the city. The sanitation and hygiene are the critical measures that can be taken to prevent typhoid fever.