Boil drinking water, health execs urge amid tyhoid outbreak in Cebu

After a typhoid outbreak killed at least four people and downed over 500 others, health authorities advised residents of Tuburan, Cebu to boil or disinfect their drinking water to avoid contracting the disease.   National epidemiology center head Dr. Eric Tayag said while an investigation is being conducted, it is best for people take extra health precautions. He said they are verifying information that an old pipe system in the town may have contributed to the outbreak.   "May disinfection na pwedeng gawin, may chlorine, pero kailangan turuan ang kababayan natin para makaiwas (sa sakit)," he said in an interview over radio dzBB.   He said a team of doctors from Metro Manila is going to Tuburan, particularly the affected areas of Barangay Poblacion 1-8 and Cogon, to bring antibiotics and examine the patients.   "May antibiotic tayo pero yan gusto natin ayusin, iba-iba ang gamit doon. may bago tayong gamot na dadalhin doon. ilang araw lang ang pag-inom, gagaling ang pasyente ," he said.   Tayag said the ages of the four people who died and 558 others who had fallen ill ranged from one to 65 years old.  He said the number of patients had overwhelmed the local hospital, which only has 25 beds.   Meanwhile, Tayag reiterated the DOH's call to the public to be wary of at least five diseases during the summer:  

• sunburn that can lead to heat stroke
• sore eyes
• coughs and colds ahead of the influenza season
• gastroenteritis
• dog bites