Report: 'Typhoid fever' downs 160 in Cebu town

At least 160 residents of two villages in Cebu province have reportedly been hit by a supposed typhoid fever, even as health authorities suspect a contaminated water system as the cause. Radio dzBB's Cebu affiliate reported Wednesday at least 30 of the 160 residents from Poblacion and Sta. Filomena village in Alegria town have been hospitalized. Local health authorities said the 160 residents showed symptoms of typhoid, including a week-long fever, when they went to the town health center for checkup. The report said health authorities are now taking blood samples from the affected residents to double-check if they were affected by typhoid. For its part, the Department of Health is studying the possibility of declaring an outbreak of typhoid in the two villages. Alegria is a fourth-class town with a population of 21,699 people. — LBG, GMANews.TV