Electron microscope image of bacteria responsible for typhoid fever
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, (PIA) —- Health authorities in the region acted immediately on the reported typhoid fever outbreak in Borongan, City Eastern Samar.
In a press conference, Regional Surveillance Nurse Boyd Cerro informed the local media that the outbreak has already been contained
Initially, 140 students were reported to have been afflicted with the infectious disease. However, upon verification by a team from the Department of Health, the City Health Office of Borongan and other health workers, it was found out that there were only 101 cases of typhoid fever.
As of this writing, most of the students were already discharged with 16 still at the hospital.
Cerro said, it was found out that the source was the ambulant vendors near the school where most of the students are studying.
Typhoid fever is an infectious disease which is also known as enteric fever or just typhoid caused by salmonella typhi bacteria and spreads through contaminated food and water or through close contact with someone who is infected.
Signs and symptoms of those infected are sustained high fever, headache, weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhea or constipation and abdominal discomfort.
In order to prevent this disease, DOH is advising the public to avoid drinking untreated water, cook food well and always cover food to prevent contamination from flies and other insects, avoid eating unnecessary street vended foods, wash hands with soap and water after using toilet and before eating, keep surroundings clean to prevent breeding of flies and get immunized with WHO-prequalified oral injectible vaccines.(ajc/cba/PIA-8)
