Typhoid fever spreads across Negros Occidental, leaves 2 dead, 80 ill

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – Typhoid fever has spread across 27 of 31 cities and towns in Negros Occidental, killing two elderly people and infecting 80 others in January, the provincial health office said on Tuesday, February 4.

Dr. Girlie Pinongan, the provincial health officer, said the fatalities, aged 62 and 79, were from Victorias City and Isabela town.

Kabankalan City and Hinoba-an town, both in southern Negros Occidental, recorded the highest number of cases, with 16 and 13 infections, respectively.

The provincial health office recorded a 100% increase in typhoid fever cases in January 2025, with 80 infections compared to 40 in the same month in 2024.

Aside from Kabankalan and Hinoba-an, the areas in Negros Occidental where the disease has spread are the following:

• San Carlos City
• Calatrava
• Escalante City
• Cadiz City
• Sagay City
• Silay City
• Don Salvador Benedicto
• Bago City
• Murcia
• La Carlota City
• Cauayan
• Hinigaran
• Pulupandan
• Ilog
• Sipalay City
• La Castellana
• Valladolid
• Moises Padilla
• Himamaylan City
• Pontevedra
• Binalbagan
• Candoni
• San Enrique
• Victorias City
• Isabela

The disease, caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria, is typically contracted through contaminated food and water.

Health officials said those infected showed the following typhoid fever symptoms:

• Sustained fever
• Severe headache
• Cough
• Sudden weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Rash of flat, pink or red-colored spots on the chest and abdomen
• Weakness
• Stomach pain
• Constipation
• Sweating

Typhoid fever symptoms typically appear 8 to 14 days after infection, though cases can remain undetected for up to 30 days, health officials said.

Left untreated, the disease can cause severe complications, including internal bleeding, encephalitis, and sepsis, which can be fatal.

Incidentally, some areas in Negros Occidental have also been struggling with drinking water supplies due to sulfuric contamination linked to Kanlaon Volcano’s 2024 eruptions, exacerbating concerns about the spread of typhoid fever.

Typhoid fever is more common during the rainy season, but officials said two deaths in January alone were alarming.

Dr. Girlie Pinongan, the provincial health officer, urged residents to avoid drinking untreated water, thoroughly cook food, and consume meals within four hours of preparation. She also warned against eating unsanitary and street food.

The Philippines has limited access to typhoid vaccines, with only three Food and Drug Administration-approved typhoid polysaccharide vaccines (TPVs) available, all of which are offered exclusively in private hospitals, making them costly for most Filipinos, a health official said.

Health Undersecretary Mary Ann Palermo-Maestral said the World Health Organization (WHO) is introducing a new typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) for mass immunization. The WHO says the vaccine is effective against drug-resistant typhoid, cost-efficient, suitable for younger children, and offers longer-lasting protection.

However, the Department of Health (DOH) remains in a “wait-and-see” position, as the vaccine must undergo review by the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) before regulatory approval, Maestral said.

With vaccine access still limited, the DOH urged the public to maintain proper hygiene, consume safe food, and drink clean water to prevent infection.

Eating nutritious food remains a key factor in combating any disease, including typhoid fever, Maestral pointed out.

“It boils down to body resistance as a means of survival from any form of sickness,” she said. – Rappler.com