Tuesday, March 11, 2008 No reason to worry about typhoid By Carlo P. Mallo
AS PARTS of Luzon and Visayas are trying to control outbreaks of typhoid, as there has been an upward surge in reported cases, there is not much to worry about in Southern Mindanao.
According to the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU)-Southern Mindanao of the Department of Health (DOH), there are suspected cases of typhoid but these have yet to be verified.
In an interview Monday with Dr. Paulo Pantojan of the Resu, he said they are actively monitoring sporadic reports of febrile cases. "But nothing out of the ordinary so far," Pantojan said.
"So far, the cases reported are not alarming," he added.
At least 700 people in the province of Laguna in Luzon have been reportedly downed by typhoid fever, while another outbreak is suspected in Iloilo City in the Visayas.
Typhoid fever is a water-borne disease caused by unsanitary water that is usually contaminated with human feces or urine. The unsanitary preparation of food is also one cause in the spread of the disease.
The Davao City Water District (DCWD) meantime assured the water flowing out of the faucets in the households of Dabawenyos is potable.
In an earlier interview, Haydee Masfiñas of the Quality Control Division of DCWD said at least 105 samples from the water pumps are taken and tested daily to ensure the quality of water here in the city.
"Also, samples from the reservoirs are taken and tested at least once a week," Masfiñas said.
