DOH says typhoid in Borbon is over

CEBU, Philippines - With the declining number of typhoid fever patients seeking medical attention, the Department of Health yesterday lifted the declaration of typhoid fever outbreak in Borbon, northern Cebu.

“For now, I think it’s controlled. We have already a declining number of patients consulting treatment and there is a continuous nga pagtambal even profylaxis. What is very important is monitoring of treated water from the faucet at the reservoir,” DOH-7 regional director Jaime Bernadas said.

Provincial Health Office chief Cynthia Genosolango affirmed, saying that there has been no new case of typhoid fever recorded in the town since Tuesday.

 “It is contained in the sense that no new significant cases are propping up. Any case of fever, which may likely be typhoid, is promptly started on medications,” said Genosolango, saying that they are still closely monitoring the situation though.

The Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit-7 recorded a total of 82 cases of suspected typhoid in Borbon as of last Friday.

PHO’s emergency medical technician Wilfredo Salgado Jr. said the figure drastically increased in just a span of around two weeks since the first case was reported.

He said there were only seven additional suspected typhoid cases recorded as of Monday.

The seven additional patients, who were from barangays Cajel and Lugo, have already been admitted to Juan Dosado Memorial Hospital in Sogod town.

Last week, personnel from RESU-7 and the Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit conducted chlorination in affected areas in Borbon where water sources were reported to have been contaminated with fecal coliforms.

Bernadas lauded the local government of Borbon for purchasing a chlorinator in replacement to the improvised one employed in its water supply reservoir.

“Mayor Bernard Sepulveda did emergency purchase ng chlorinator, that has already been installed. That would be congratulations to the munisipyo for the immediate action upon recommendation by our office. It’s a really good start in information education. It’s a continuous process. The barangay should take care of educating the inhabitants at the community,” the health official said.

Bernadas stressed the importance of making the community understand that they can either cause or cure the contamination in water source.  (FREEMAN)