• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported 387 cases of typhoid, including three deaths, over the past three months in Negros Occidental.
This marks a significant increase compared to the 208 cases recorded during the same period last year, representing a rise of 179 cases or 86.6 percent from January 1 to March 29, 2025.
Typhoid is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi, which spreads through contaminated food and water or close contact with an infected individual.
Thirty of the 31 local government units in Negros Occidental reported typhoid cases, with Kabankalan City recording the highest number at 96.
Hinoba-an ranked second with 43 cases, followed by San Carlos City with 33.
In Bacolod City, the City Health Office reported 27 typhoid cases as of March 22 – a 145 percent increase compared to 11 cases during the same period last year. | GB
