Possible Hepa A outbreak also noted in San Joaquin town
Aside from Sara town, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office is also keeping a close watch on the municipality of San Joaquin. This, after several residents showed symptoms associated with Hepatitis A.
Dr. Ma. Socorro Quiñon of the Provincial Health Office said that they are presently following this up, along with those of Sara residents.
“They first had low to moderate grade fever, anorexia and abdominal pain and after several days, they developed jaundice,” she said.
Just like in Sara,. Quiñon noted that lack of potable supply on the affected area.
On most instances, she claimed that comfort rooms were also near the residents’ water supply.
As such, contamination is most likely.
But aside from Hepatitis A, the Provincial Health Office is also wary of other water-borne diseases like typhoid fever and diarrhea.
“We are expecting it (outbreak of diarrhea). Mainit pirm. ang tawo gusto sang ice water or ice. So, hapos gid maglapta sang water-borne diseases,” she noted.
Over the weekend, personnel from the Provincial Health Office visited Brgy. Zerrudo, Sara after a supposed a possible Hepatitis A outbreak.
Based on the clinical findings, Quiñon say Hepatitis A outbreak is indeed possible.
Out of 32 suspected cases who are suffering from jaundice, fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, 22 were taken of their blood samples.
The samples were forwarded to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Manila for confirmation. The result will be known in a week or two weeks time.
Since Hepatitis A could be easily transmitted, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office advocated that residents should ensure that they have a safe water source.
“They should wash their hands thoroughly when doing food handling and after using the comfort room. And those who are suspected to be suffering from Hepatitis A should stay avoid handling food,” Quiñon advised.
Oysters, clams, and shellfishes should also be cooked for at least 1 minute and 30 seconds.
“For those who are fond of buying ice or ice water, they should ensure that the water source is safe,” she added.
According to an online report, Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus. It goes away on its own in almost all cases. Hepatitis A does not lead to long-term liver problems.
The disease is caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus is found in the stool of an infected person. It is spread when a person eats food or drinks water that has come in contact with infected stool.
Sometimes a group of people who eat at the same restaurant can get hepatitis A. This can happen when an employee with hepatitis A doesn’t wash his or her hands well after using the bathroom and then prepares food.
Some things can raise your risk of getting hepatitis A, such as eating raw oysters or undercooked clams. The common symptoms are feeling very tired, feeling sick to your stomach, not feeling hungry, losing weight without trying, pain on the right side of the belly, under the rib cage (where your liver is), fever, and sore muscles.
Older people with hepatitis A may get yellow skin (jaundice), along with dark urine and clay-colored stools.
