Hepa A outbreak in Sara, San Joaquin villages confirmed
The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) confirmed its earlier fear of a Hepatitis A outbreak in Sara and San Joaquin towns in the province of Iloilo.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ma. Socorro Quiñon said that the anti-hepatitis A virus result earlier sent to the Provincial Health Officer revealed that of the 22 patients who were taken blood samples at Brgy. Zerrudo, Sara, 21 were confirmed to be suffering from Hepa A.
On the other hand, 18 of the 26 residents of Brgy. Pitogo, San Joaquin who were taken blood samples were also afflicted with the Hepa A virus.
In Sara, Quiñon said that the victims got the virus from their water pump, which was near their comfort room.
Out of 8 families sharing said water pump, six families are affected with jaundice.
Of the 1,715 population of Brgy. Zerrudo, there were 390 households but there were only 342 toilets for 412 families.
“So, it is very important that we should practice cleanliness in our surroundings. We should also check where are we getting our water,” Quiñon told ABS-CBN Iloilo.
Meanwhile, in San Joaquin, the provincial health officer said that the patients could have gotten the hepatitis A virus from a water school at a village school.
“We are looking at the possibility that there are victims who don’t show any signs and symptoms yet they transmit the disease,” Quiñon added.
She added that they will continue to monitor other possible cases of Hepatitis A.
On Saturday and Sunday, it was gathered that representatives from the National Epidemiology Center will visit Sara town.
Almost two weeks ago, PHO monitored a possible Hepa A outbreak in Sara after there were 32 residents who were suffering from jaundice, fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
A few days later, several residents of Brgy. Pitogo had moderate grade fever, anorexia and abdominal pain before they developed jaundice.
