Badian typhoid fever outbreak under control

CEBU, Philippines - The typhoid fever outbreak in Badian town is now under control.

This was according to acting governor Agnes Magpale and Dr. Cristina Giango, chief of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO).

Giango said that two cases were reported yesterday, bringing to 31 the total number of victims. At least five victims were admitted to the hospital.

Badian District Hospital chief, Dr. Imelda Peque, in an interview over Bantay Radyo yesterday, said that only those in critical conditions were brought to the hospital.

Peque said that personnel of the Municipal Health Office have continued conducting clinic in Barangay Calangcang to address the situation.

The distance from the area and the cost to travel to the hospital and the Rural Health Center in the town proper prompted the MHO to hold clinic in the barangay.

Initial investigation pointed to contaminated water source in the barangay as the cause of the outbreak.

Magpale said they requested the Badian municipal government to provide chlorinator to the water source.

“The reservoir really needs cleaning before even a chlorinator is used,” Magpale said.

Giango said that the water source has no treatment facility while the local government unit has no available chlorinator.

Magpale said the Capitol can give assistance if necessary but she believes the LGU can afford to provide chlorinator.

Mayor Robburt Librando said that a private water company is now helping the LGU solve the problem.

Librando said that Abejo Water Corporation (AWC) already took samples of water from the source for examination to determine what bacteria caused the contamination and what appropriate medicines to be provided to the affected residents.

A P35 million water work system is being invested by AWC to bring potable water to the residents in Badian.

The water firm has started the pipe-laying works last week, hoping to complete the project before the year ends.

In July last year, a diarrhea outbreak downed more than 150 people, prompting the municipal government to enter into a deal with AWC.

Health officials have declared an outbreak of typhoid fever in Barangay Calangcang due to the rising cases reported since the past few days.  (FREEMAN)