DIMASALANG, Masbate: At least two persons, including a nine-year old, reportedly died due to typhoid fever, while 16 others were affected by unsafe source of drinking water in remote villages of Magcaraguit and G. Aliño Island, some 45 minutes by boat ride to this town.

Village chieftain Diofilan Babas said Letecia Diaz, 81, and a nine-year old female (name withheld) both succumbed to death due to typhoid fever a week ago, while 16 inhabitants belonging to seven families suffered from the dreaded disease. The nine-year old's sister was also experiencing similar symptoms, Babas said.

Typhoid fever is an infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria commonly spread through ingestion of food and water contaminated with human waste.

Its common signs and symptoms include sustained high fever, headache, malaise (weakness), anorexia (loss of appetite), diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort.

Babas said that typhoid fever originated in his village and escalated in Barangay G. Aliño, a neighboring area of Magcaraguit, after getting water from the same source. The chieftain said he already reported the incident to the Dimasalang rural health unit.

Babas said the Dimasalang rural and provincial health offices should report the situation to the Department of Health (DoH).

Babas expressed disgust on the Health department's slow action regarding the typhoid outbreak affecting their village.

"Until now, the DoH has not made a declaration on the typhoid fever outbreak," said Babas.

"How many people need to die for the DoH to declare, or does everyone need to have typhoid before they act?" lamented Babas.

Magcaraguit, G. Aliño, Rikit Dakit and Jamorawon are the four villages in Deagan Island, about a 45-minute ride to Dimasalang town proper, Babas said.

Magcaraguit village has 340 families with 1,282 populations. With the prevailing typhoid outbreak affecting Magcaraguit, Babas said he asked for assistance from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Director Norman Laurio.

Laurio confirmed to The Manila Times that the typhoid outbreak took place in Dimasalang town early this month.

He said that its field office continues to coordinate closely with the local government of Dimasalang to monitor the situation and provide further interventions.

"In response to the typhoid fever outbreak in Dimasalang, Masbate, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Bicol provided financial assistance to three typhoid-affected families who received financial aid through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program," Laurio said.

"The DSWD stands prepared to supplement the resources of the LGU to assist its affected residents," Laurio added.

He urged the public to take preventive measures such as boiling water for consumption, chlorinating, and ensuring thorough cooking of food to prevent contamination.

He said that the department extended P3,000 medical assistance to the families to cover their medications.