In Iloilo City: 217 stricken with typhoid fever
More than 217 people have been stricken with typhoid fever and four reportedly died in the city in two months time. This prompted the Department of Health (DoH)-National Epidemiology Center (NEC) to send representative to assist the local health department.
A report coming from the DOH 6 Center for Health Development (CHD) showed there are already 217 suspected typhoid fever cases in Iloilo City. The statistics only covers the period from January 1 to March 8, 2008.
Of the 217 cases, the City Proper tops the list with 120 cases and four reported deaths. The report however said health authorities are still validating the three other reported death cases.
The victims' ages range from 1 year old to 68 years old with median age of 11 years old. A copy of the report from DOH regional director Lydia Depra-Ramos was furnished to the mayor's office.
The same report confirmed that one person died of typhoid ileitis in the City Proper. Earlier, Mayor Jerry Treñas identified the fatality as Roberto Jusayan, 35.
The district of Jaro comes second with 29 cases of suspected typhoid fever; Molo 22; Mandurriao 18; Lapaz 17 and Arevalo with 11 cases.
The report said "the epidemic threshold was already reached on the 6th morbidity week starting February 3, 2008. In comparison of weekly typhoid fever cases with alert and epidemic thresholds, the increase of number of cases was noted in the 10th week.
The DOH national office is concerned with the recent surge of suspected typhoid cases in the city, the reason why they sent their representative to assist the health officials here.
With the current number of suspected typhoid fever cases in Iloilo City, the health department recommends several measures to contain the disease. They said the surveillance activities must be enhanced.
The other recommendations are to mobilize the Health Management Staff (HEMS) and DOH-representatives, intensify health promotion advocacy, enhance networking and coordination with local government unit and validate and follow-up reported confirmed deaths.