Hepa A outbreak eyed in Surigao town

BISLIG CITY — The Department of Health (DOH) is looking into a possible hepatitis A outbreak in Tago, Surigao del Sur where 31 cases have been reported.

Dr. Jerna May-as, chief of the DOH’s regional epidemiology and surveillance unit, told The STAR that they are sending a task force which, together with provincial and rural health personnel, will look into the hepatitis A cases in Tago town.

Tago, some eight kilometers away from this capital town, is the hometown of Elsie Lacia Milby, mother of Pinoy Big Brother housemate Sam Milby.

A report reaching Health Secretary Francisco Duque III showed that the victims were "clinically hepatitis A cases."

This means that they manifested the symptoms of the liver disease like yellowish skin and eyes, body weakness, and diarrhea.

The report, prepared by Dr. Cesar Pagaran, provincial health officer, showed that the victims came from Purok Sandiya, Crossing Tago in Tago town.

Dr. Chito Navarro, epidemiologic investigation officer of the DOH, said blood samples have been collected from some of the victims to confirm their illness.

"They manifested symptoms of hepatitis A, but through an examination of their blood, we can confirm their condition. We are investigating this," he said.

Navarro said the victims could have acquired the illness from contaminated water or food.

"Somebody could have contaminated the food or water supply there. We are still coordinating with (our office there) to get a better picture of what happened," he said.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Different viruses cause viral hepatitis — hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Except for hepatitis A, the other viruses can cause chronic hepatitis where the infection is prolonged and sometimes life-long.

Hepatitis A is primarily spread through food or water contaminated by feces from an infected person. Its symptoms manifest 10 to 40 days after a person gets infected.

At least 13 of the Tago victims are college students of the Surigao del Sur Polytechnic College who reside in one boarding house.

According to Pagaran’s report, health authorities began monitoring the hepatitis A cases in Tago last Feb. 27.

The 13 college students were reported ill by the school nurse last March 1. Many of the victims did not immediately seek treatment because of financial constraints.

One of the male victims died but he was sick, too, of gastrict cancer so the DOH is verifying the cause of his death, Pagaran’s report said. His wife and three children also manifested hepatitis symptoms.

To prevent further spread of the infection, local health authorities have recommended the chlorination and disinfection of water supplies in boarding houses in Tago.

During inspections, local authorities noted the presence of piggery and poultry farms near the school’s water reservoir and pumping station.

"Only six out of the 32 boarding houses (are) operating with business permits, but without sanitary permits and health certificates issued by the (rural health unit)… Some of the boarding houses are overcrowded," the report said.