
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson warned the public against increasing typhoid fever cases in Negros Occidental on Friday, Jan. 31.
Typhoid fever cases increased by 100 percent with 80 cases from Jan. 1 to 18 this year compared to 40 cases in the same period in 2024, the governor said.
Typhoid fever is an infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria, Lacson’s health advisory said.
It spreads through contaminated food and water or through close contact with someone who is infected, the advisory added.
Signs and symptoms of typhoid fever are sustained high fever, headaches, weakness, loss of appetite, either diarrhea or constipation, and abdominal discomfort.
Antibiotics, may be given to adults as prescribed by a physician, the advisory said.
To prevent typhoid fever one should avoid drinking untreated water. Boil water for drinking, cook food well and always cover to prevent contamination from flies and other insects;
Consume food within 4 hours of preparation, avoid eating unsanitary street-vended foods, wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before eating, and keep surroundings clean and free from garbage to prevent breeding of flies, the advisory said.*