CAPOOCAN, Leyte, Philippines — Municipal and barangay officials in this town are seeking the help of the Leyte provincial government to contain a number of suspected typhoid fever cases.

A possible typhoid fever outbreak was among the concerns presented to Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla while making his rounds under his intervention program “Icot-Icot ha Barangay” in three villages of Capoocan last November 5 .

Barangay officials of Zone 1 Poblacion reported that a number of residents have been admitted to hospitals in Tacloban and Ormoc for medical attention. All were reportedly having the same symptoms suspected to be typhoid fever.

There were also reports that a number of patients have been confined at nearby Carigara District Hospital, for the same symptoms.

Typically, typhoid symptoms include high-grade fever, stomach cramps, diarrhea or constipation and general malaise. In extreme cases, one’s small intestines could be perforated, leading to death if left unattended or not treated properly.

Petilla has already directed the Provincial Health Office to conduct a survey of areas possibly affected by typhoid to contain a possible outbreak. If indeed there are cases of typhoid fever in certain areas, the Leyte governor ordered provincial health officials to determine the source of the bacteria and prevent their spread.