BONTOC, Mountain Province – For this year, the capital town has already recorded 11 dengue, four typhoid fever and 16 acute bloody diarrhea cases as of April 15, 2024.
These were reported by the Municipal Health Office (MHO) during the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) meeting on April 17, 2024, in Barangay Talubin, Bontoc, Mountain Province.
Nurse I Achilles Feckleng, Jr., of the MHO said that Barangays Caluttit, Dalican and Poblacion have recorded two each, while Bontoc Ili, Guina-ang, Mainit, and Samoki have one case each.
Relative to this, he solicited the support of the barangay officials and partner stakeholders present during the meeting to remind the public of their compliance with the 5S. The 5S include 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. Feckleng explained that Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium 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 measures 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 cases of 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.
Accordingly, acute bloody diarrhea is caused by Escherichia coli, a bacteria that can be found in food and the environment. A person suffering from the disease experiences symptoms such as stomach pain, abdominal cramps, fever, bloating, weight loss, body aches, and chills. Other possible symptoms such as blood or pus in the stool, persistent vomiting, and dehydration may indicate a more serious illness.
This can be prevented by drinking clean and safe 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, Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” 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. By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay
