BONTOC, Mountain Province – Bontoc has recorded 11 dengue, four typhoid fever, and 16 acute bloody diarrhea cases as of April 15.
This was reported by the Municipal Health Office during the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) meeting on April 17 in Barangay Talubin.
Nurse I Achilles Feckleng, Jr. of the MHO said barangays Caluttit, Dalican, and Poblacion have recorded two dengue cases each, while Bontoc Ili, Guina-ang, Mainit, and Samoki have one case each.
Feckleng solicited the support of the barangay officials and partner stakeholders present during the meeting to remind the public to practice the 5S – search and destroy breeding sites; self-protection from mosquitoes; seek early medical consultation; support fogging in areas with clustering of cases; and sustain hydration.
On typhoid fever cases, Barangay Bontoc Ili has two while Alab Proper and Poblacion have one each.
Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacteria salmonella typhi. It is usually spread through contamination of food or water and through close contact with someone who is infected. Signs and symptoms include sustained high fever, headache and weakness.
As preventive measure for typhoid fever, he encouraged the public to boil water first before drinking; cook food well and cover it to avoid contamination; wash or clean vegetables and fruits before consumption; wash hands with soap and water; and get vaccinated.
On acute bloody diarrhea, three each were listed in Guina-ang, Mainit and Poblacion; two each in Dalican and Tocucan, and one each in Bontoc Ili Caluttit and Samoki.
Acute bloody diarrhea is caused by the bacteria escherichia coli, which can be found in food and the environment.
A person who has acute bloody diarrhea experience stomach pain, abdominal cramps, fever, bloating, weight loss, body aches, and chills. Other symptoms are blood or pus in the stool, persistent vomiting, and dehydration.
This can be prevented by drinking clean water, having a good sanitation system, having good hygiene practices by washing hands more frequently especially before and after eating and food preparation, and educating oneself on the spread of infection.
With these reports, Mayor Jerome Tudlong, Jr., who is also the chairperson of the MPOC, solicited the support of the barangay officials and other members of the council to help in informing the public of the preventive and control measures against dengue, typhoid fever and acute bloody diarrhea. – Alpine K. Malwagay
