ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has confirmed two deaths and 126 cases of typhoid and paratyphoid fever in the province from January 1 to March 22. The fatalities include a 47-year-old man from Carles town and a 53-year-old man from San Enrique.
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever are serious food and water-borne diseases caused by Salmonella infection. Transmission typically occurs through ingestion of food or water contaminated with human feces or urine.
While the total number of cases this year is slightly lower — down by five percent from 133 cases during the same period last year — fatalities have increased from one to two.
According to Dr. Rodney Labis, head of the IPHO’s Health Service Delivery Division, the diseases are prevalent in the Philippines, especially in areas affected by seasonal flooding, poor sanitation, and unsafe food-handling practices. Symptoms usually appear one to three weeks after exposure and range from mild to severe, worsening if left untreated.
Initial symptoms in the first week include high fever (up to 40°C), abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, and sore throat. If untreated, the infection can cause severe abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, rashes, and complications such as intestinal perforation, dehydration, sepsis, meningitis, and encephalopathy.
However, Dr. Labis noted that most patients recover within seven to 10 days when treated with appropriate antibiotics.
Vulnerable groups include children under five, the elderly, individuals living in areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation, and food handlers and vendors.
To prevent infection, IPHO advises the public to:
* Ensure drinking water is clean and disinfected;
* Purchase water only from Department of Health-accredited refilling stations;
* Boil water for at least one minute if uncertain about its safety;
* Practice proper hygiene and sanitation;
* Wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water before eating or preparing food;
* Wash vegetables with clean water;
* Maintain household cleanliness;
* Dispose of waste properly and avoid open defecation;
* Eat only properly cooked food;
* Inspect the sanitation status of street vendors and eateries;
* Avoid buying food from sellers without sanitation permits.
Dr. Labis also urged individuals experiencing symptoms to avoid self-medication and seek immediate treatment from the nearest health facility.
The IPHO is enhancing its community protection programs by working with Rural Health Units (RHUs) to improve sanitation, distributing chlorine granules, water testing kits, and toilet bowls to households without proper facilities. It is also conducting food safety orientations for food establishment operators and vendors in line with the Food Safety Act.
Moreover, the province is strengthening its disease surveillance system in collaboration with RHUs and district hospitals to detect and respond to typhoid and paratyphoid cases promptly.
IPHO is calling on local government units (LGUs) to support environmental and occupational health programs, including the hiring of sanitation inspectors and facilitating community access to safe drinking water and zero open defecation status.
The municipalities with the highest recorded cases are Janiuay (11), Calinog (11), Pototan (8), San Joaquin (8), Tigbauan (7), Pavia (6), Oton (6), Guimbal (5), Concepcion (5), and Barotac Nuevo (5).
Other municipalities with reported cases include Badiangan (4), Maasin (3), Leon (3), Alimodian (3), Sara (3), Leganes (3), San Dionisio (3), Ajuy (3), Cabatuan (3), Estancia (2), Santa Barbara (2), Bingawan (2), San Rafael (2), Dumangas (2), Miag-ao (2), Carles (2 cases, 1 death), Dingle (2), Mina (1), Zarraga (1), Igbaras (1), Banate (1), Lemery (1), San Miguel (1), San Enrique (1 death), Lambunao (1), and Barotac Viejo (1).
No cases were recorded in the towns of Anilao, Balasan, Batad, Dueñas, New Lucena, and Tubungan./PN
