Typhoid outbreaks in the Philippines and Fiji

Philippines – Typhoid outbreak declared in remote Sarangani village

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – A typhoid outbreak has been declared in four remote sitios (sub-villages) of Barangay (village) Datal Anggas in Alabel town, Doctor Honorato Fabio, Alabel municipal health officer, told reporters that the Department of Health through the Regional Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila that four out of the five samples sent out for laboratory testing turned out positive for typhoid.

He said that to date, 21 suspected cases of typhoid have been monitored in sitios Salimama, Ihan, Glamang and Sangkoya.

Datal Anggas is the farthest barangay of Alabel and can only be reached via a three-hour uphill travel travel on four-wheel drive vehicle.

Most of the residents, he said, belonged to the B’laan tribe. Fabio said a medical team had been dispatched to contain the spread of the disease in the area.

He said residents were also asked to strictly observe personal hygiene and sanitation in their surroundings. They were also told to boil their drinking water before taking it in, he said. SOURCE

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Fiji – Typhoid cases increase – February 26, 2010

Another 50 new cases of typhoid has been recorded in the country ever since the Ministry of Health put out an alert on Tuesday.

This new information has just been released by the National Typhoid Taskforce which just concluded its meeting an hour ago.

Ministry of Health spokesperson Iliesa Tora says the Ministry is now considering procuring typhoid vaccines and are already talking with donors and suppliers.

“Yes we’re looking at bringing in vaccination and we’re talking with our partners, the donor agencies about this but I think the onus is on us the members of the public who need to ensure they have a clean environment and look after themselves well…”

On Tuesday, 33 typhoid cases were recorded in the Central Division, which is the centre of this recent outbreak.

A few other cases from other health facilities around the country was also reported during this week but by today, 92 cases have been confirmed so far. SOURCE