Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today revealed that the reported febrile illness among residents of Brgy. Magallanes, Lopez in Quezon were due to malaria and typhoid fever and advised residents to take immediate precautions against getting the said diseases.

Duque recommended the use of malaria-treated mosquito nets at night to residents and asked visitors to take prophylaxis before going to the place to avoid malaria.

He also said that one of the ways of preventing typhoid fever is to avoid eating foods that are not properly prepared or cooked. The health chief revealed that more of the cases tested are positive for malaria.

On August 16, DOH regional field office conducted case-finding and surveillance and yielded 148 febrile cases. By August 18, the number of febrile cases rose to 180.

Duque said that these cases were tested for typhoid and 10 turned out to be positive for typhoid fever. These cases were also tested for malaria since it is endemic in the province. Of those tested, 55 tested positive for malaria.

Duque also said that mass blood smear and treatment of confirmed and suspected malarial cases have been undertaken.

DOH and local health officials are set to start entomological investigation and residual spraying in the said community.