Over 20 residents in Barili town, south Cebu Province suffered from typhoid fever.
The chairman of Barangay Gunting, Crisiolo Superales Jr., confirmed that residents exhibited high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pains.
Others suffered from high fever that persisted for about four days.
Superales said that at first they had to persuade residents to seek treatment at the town infirmary.
According to staff members at Marlon F. Garcia Infirmary that admission of residents with typhoid fever, a life-threatening infection caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria and spread through contaminated water and food, started on January 20, 2025.
The infirmary logged at least 27 cases of typhoid fever. The youngest patient is about four years old.
Of the 27 cases, two were referred to hospitals in Carcar City and Talisay City. It was learned that one of them was already discharged.
As of this writing, there are eight patients recuperating from typhoid fever at the infirmary.
Superales said that testing for typhoid fever is offered free of charge at the infirmary.
He, himself, also tested positive of typhoid fever on January 24, 2025, and that he has fully recovered.
No casualties were reported, which made Superales and his council thankful.
To pad further patient count, Superales and other barangay officials encouraged residents who have experienced the symptoms to seek medical check-up immediately.
Superales added that Barili Mayor Pablo John Garcia IV has already ordered an investigation on the cause of the incident.
GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak went to the Mayor’s Office to get his side to the incident, but he did not grant the news team an interview.
However, in a post on his official social media account, he disclosed that an investigation by the Barili Primary Care Facility (Rural Health Unit) is ongoing to establish the source of contamination.
Water sources were checked, as well as houses without toilet facilities, and the surroundings that are supposedly cleaned up regularly.
The Barili Primary Care Facility has started distribution of water purification tablets to residents.
The Local Government Unit of Barili has also initiated delivery of chlorinated water to ensure residents have safe water supply.
Superales said that to avert similar cases, other residents in Barangay Gunting were advised to boil water for drinking and for cooking purposes.