Typhoid outbreak in Pinamungajan now under control

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Health yesterday assured that the reported typhoid outbreak in one barangay in Pinamungajan is now under control.

A total of 47 residents of Barangay Camugao have been afflicted by the bacterial disease with two deaths.

"Karon, under control na siya tungod kay since last week, nagkagamay na ang nagpakonsulta. As of Sunday, 47 na ang na-record nato nga cases," said Rennan Cimafranca, chief epidemiologist of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of DOH-7.

 Out of the 47 individuals, two have died and seven have been confirmed typhoid cases while the others are still suspects pending the results of the laboratory tests.

 “The seven confirmed cases have been examined through municipal health officers and were provided with medical assistance while others had their check-ups on barangay health centers,” he said.

 The first fatality was Marivic Macalipay,16, who was rushed to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, while the second fatality was Macalipay’s relative, Eduardo Caniban, 27.

Caniban died at home after he went home against the doctors’ advice. He was told to stay in the hospital for further observation and treatment but insisted to go home.

Cimafranca earlier identified the barangay water source, which serves around 400 households, as the probable cause of the typhoid cases in the area.

The water samples from the spring box tested positive for fecal coliform and e-coli bacteria.

 The improvised spring box servicing the community 20 kilometers from the town center was installed with an improvised chlorinator to treat contaminated water.

Cimafranca said medicine and aqua tabs were previously distributed to affected residents to ensure the disease is contained. Cimafranca previously recommend that a canopy protect the reservoir and the chlorinator.

Authorities also noted that houses located about 15 meters from the spring do not have sanitary toilets. — (FREEMAN)