87 typhoid cases in Cabatuan

BY JEZZA NEPOMOCENO

ILOILO – The town of Cabatuan has the most number of typhoid fever cases among the 41 towns and one component city in this province.

From January to July this year, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) recorded 87 typhoid cases in Cabatuan.

Second to Cabatuan was the town of Sara with 84 cases, followed by San Dionisio (43), Dumangas (37), Concepcion (33), Maasin (31) and Potatan (31).

Typhoid fever, also known as Salmonella typhi or commonly just typhoid, is a common worldwide illness, transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person.

Typhoid fever is characterized by a slowly progressive fever as high as 40°C, profuse sweating, gastroenteritis, and non-bloody diarrhea. Less commonly, a rash of flat, rose-colored spots may appear.

Other symptoms include headache, weakness and fatigue, abdominal pain and poor appetite.

The PHO said persons suspected of having typhoid fever should consult a doctor immediately.

The World Health Organization said typhoid fever can be treated with antibiotics. However, resistance to common antimicrobials is widespread. Healthy carriers should be excluded from handling food, it stressed./PN