The Negros Oriental Provincial Health Office (PHO) is strengthening its monitoring as it has seen a rise in typhoid fever cases over the past three months.

PHO chief Dr. Liland Estacion, in a virtual press briefer yesterday, said that based on the consolidated weekly report up to March 18, the province logged a total of 87 cases with zero deaths.

However, this is 34 percent higher compared to the same period last year at 54 with one mortality.

The official also sounded the alarm as 10 cases were reported in just one cluster at Sitio Lapnol in Manjuyod town’s Barangay Tanglad as of March 24.

Some of them were admitted to the Bais City District Hospital and the Manjuyod Rural Health Unit.

Two patients have been admitted to the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital in Dumaguete City, she said.

“We have recommended to the local government unit [LGU] to conduct a case investigation and have sent a sanitary inspection team there to determine the source of the cases,” she said.

Jerry cans and chlorine were distributed to make their water potable, she added.

The PHO and LGU conducted health education on how to prepare stock solutions as well as information materials were also given to the residents on the disease.

She reminded residents to always boil their water before drinking, especially if they were unsure of its source. (PNA)