DOH records 361 typhoid cases in Metro

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded more typhoid cases in Metro Manila this year compared to the same period in 2023.

In its latest data, the DOH said its Metro Manila Center for Health Development (MMCHD) recorded 361 cases of typhoid fever from Jan. 1 to Nov. 9.

“This is 23.37 percent higher compared to the same period last year, with 278 cases,” the DOH-MMCHD said.

The data showed that most of the cases, or 199 patients, involved males and that Quezon City had the most number of cases with 62 patients.

According to the same report, 56 of the patients were zero to four years old, or 15.51 percent of the cases.

Typhoid fever is a disease caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacteria, which can spread through contaminated food or water and by close contact with an infected person.

Aside from typhoid fever, the MMCHD also reported on cholera cases.

There were nine cases of cholera for 2023 and the same number during the same period this year.

“There is no relative change compared to the same period last year,” the DOH-MMCHD said.

A majority of the cases are from the city of Manila with six (66.67 percent). Most of the patients were zero to nine years old.

Cholera, caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacteria, is a disease spread through contaminated water and food.