Dengue, typhoid cases rising in Samar towns

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines - Dengue has killed two people and downed 40 others in the island-town of Daram, Samar, while typhoid fever victims in Villareal town has risen to 69 this week with one death. Both municipalities have no doctors. Boyd Cerro, Department of Health (DOH) regional sentinel nurse, said the case in Barangay Buenavista, Daram town has reached an alarming level as it takes weeks before residents report the illness. Reports reaching the provincial health office said two patients have died. Meanwhile, the number of typhoid fever victims in the village of Igot, Villareal town went up to 69 this week from 43 cases recorded by the DOH regional office last week. The report said the villages' shallow wells triggered the outbreak. The system is the main source of potable water for the residents. — BusinessWorld