Typhoid outbreak declared in 4 Leyte towns

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Health (DOH) in Eastern Visayas has declared an outbreak of typhoid fever in four Leyte towns as the number of people afflicted with the disease has reached nearly 200 and has claimed the life of a 3-year-old boy.

Magilda Espinosa, district nurse supervisor at the Carigara District Hospital, said the boy, a resident of barangay Guindapunan East in Carigara town, died at the hospital on Nov. 4.

DOH records showed that 187 people from Barugo, Carigara, Capoocan and Tunga towns have sought treatment for typhoid fever since last month. The DOH’s initial investigation showed that the ailment could be due to the contamination of water supply in these areas. Inquirer