CHO records 26 typhoid cases in first 3 months of 2nd quarter
The City Health Office (CHO) has recorded 26 cases of typhoid and paratyphoid fever in the first three months of the second quarter of this year.
The data released by CHO Statistician Mercedes Depra covers March 30, 2008 to the present. The cut-off period for the second quarter is until on June 28, 2008.
In the first quarter of 2008, the recorded case for typhoid and paratyphoid cases numbered to 34 cases.
Typhoid fever is a life-threatening illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. Salmonella Typhi lives only in humans. Persons with typhoid fever carry the bacteria in their bloodstream and intestinal tract. There are small number of persons called carriers who have recovered from typhoid fever but continue to carry the bacteria.
A person can get typhoid fever if she or he has eaten or drank beverages that have been handled by a person who is shedding S. Typhi or if sewage contaminated with S. Typhi bacteria gets into the water used for drinking or washing food.
Typhoid cases was high in the first quarter of the year because of the outbreak in the waterfront barangays following the contamination of their source of water. The people are already aware of the effects of taking in contaminated water or food, said Depra.
The city government implemented a massive information campaign in the city's 180 barangays after the typhoid cases increased and killed at least three persons.