Re: Philippines 2011-12: Typhoid -suspected outbreak in Tacloban
Re: Philippines 2011-12: Typhoid -suspected outbreak in Tacloban
Contaminated water causes Typhoid outbreak in Maydolong town
By Alicia F. Nicart
Monday 21st of May 2012
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, May 21 (PIA) -- A contaminated water source was cited as one reason for the suspected typhoid fever outbreak in some barangays of Maydolong town, a few weeks past.
This was revealed in a ?preliminary report? sent to mayor Henry Afable by a study team from the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP), National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health, Manila.
To recall, an April 30 report had it, that there were 177 suspected typhoid fever cases, who came from 10 barangays: Maybocog had 77 suspected cases); Brgy. 4 had 26 cases; Brgy. 3 had 17 cases; Brgy. 5 had 11 cases; Brgy. 1 has 10. In Brgy. Canloterio, there were eight reported suspected cases. Brgy. 6 had six reported cases. Brgy. 2, 7 and San Gabriel had four cases each. Of this number, 44 were admitted in hospitals, of which 12 turned out to be positive for typhoid test, but no death however was recorded.
On May 11, 2012, the team aforementioned, headed by Julius Erving D. Ballera, RN(FETP Fellow) conducted an epidemiologic investigation to verify the existence of an outbreak, identify the source and mode of transmission and determine the risk factors and recommend control and preventive measures.
Also, they conducted an environmental investigation which unveiled that, somewhere in Purok 7, of barangay Maybocog, a water spring named ?Balalong? serves as the water source of these barangays.
Earlier, mayor Henry Afable mentioned that Balalong was developed in 1994 to supply water to the barangays of Maybocog. The water is pumped from the spring to the reservoir which is 100 meters up the source. From the reservoir, the water is distributed to three barangays: Maybocog and poblacion 1 to 7 for their drinking, swimming and for washing clothes and utensils. Then the spring flows out to the sea, some 150 meters away.
Another spring known to be ?Beto? is used for bathing only, laundry and washing utensils of the residents at Purok 1 of the same barangay and alongside this spring is a canal which serves as a sewage system of nearby households. There are about 40 public faucets located in Maybocog and some of the households connect to the faucet by attaching their own hose. There are however three deep wells that serve as alternative drinking water during high tides.
When the disease inflicted a good number of residents, Mayor Afable, through the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) approved a resolution that declared the municipality under the state of calamity and spent part of its calamity fund for the purchase of medicines and two Chlorinator pumps which were immediately installed at the Balalong Spring. Further, hyposols and aquatabs were distributed to households.
Sooner, the team indeed, found out, as indicated in their report dated May 17, 2012 that ?there was an ongoing suspect of typhoid outbreak in Maydolong?, that there was an epidemic outbreak which started on March 9 and peaked on April 1 to 5. The surveillance data from the RHU and RESU likewise disclosed that there was an unusual number of cases from January to May of 2009 to 2011; that Fecal-oral route was the mode of transmission, which in layman?s term would mean, people got the disease from water contaminated with waste.
In effect, the team recommended among others, (for short term solutions), a continued case finding and treatment and monitoring of cases, conduct of IEC campaigns and ensures the proper maintenance of machine chlorinators.
For long term solutions, the team listed for the LGU of Maydolong, to hire a permanent sanitary inspector, develop a new and safer water source and conduct of regular water sampling of all water sources and increase the number of houses with sanitary toilets.
Maydolong, a fourth class municipality has 20 barangays. These affected barangays are situated in the northern part of the town. Generally, it can be said that the rest of the barangays have safe water and sanitation systems, proof of which could be traced back to recent years, when the municipality was a regional winner for best practices in implementing the Materials Recovery Facility. (GTT/AEN/AFN-PIA8 Eastern Samar)
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1231337498736
