WATER SOURCE. Residents of Santo Niño village in Tacloban City fetch water from a hand pump in their community in this Oct. 30, 2022 photo. The consumption of contaminated drinking water is among the causes of the cholera outbreak in the city. (Photo courtesy of Department of Health Eastern Visayas)
TACLOBAN CITY – The cholera outbreak here has already resulted in the death of five patients and afflicted 426 others since last week, the Department of Health (DOH) regional office here reported on Wednesday.
Of the 426 suspected cholera cases, 34 have already been confirmed as detected through DOH’s rapid diagnostic testing, according to Jelyn Lopez-Malibago, DOH regional information officer, in a phone interview.
At least 213 individuals were confined in public and private hospitals in the city in the past two weeks.
Confirmed deaths from severe diarrhea include a 12-year-old boy from Santo Niño village, a three-month-old boy from Abucay village, a 71-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman, both from Calvary Hill; and a three-month-old girl from Santo Niño village.
Malibago said all deaths were just suspected cholera since they were not subjected to testing.
Victims manifested signs and symptoms of those afflicted with cholera, such as the sudden onset of frequent painless watery stools, vomiting, and rapid dehydration.
“The DOH has detected more cases after conducting a cholera case assessment and evaluation with the city health office in affected areas,” Malibago added.
Aside from those areas with suspected cholera deaths, cases were also recorded in the villages of Palanog, San Roque, Diit, New Kawayan, downtown area, San Jose district, Utap, and Calanipawan.
The official said those with suspected cholera contracted the illness by drinking water or eating food contaminated with bacteria.
She reminded residents that if unsure of the safety of drinking water, they must boil it for five minutes.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium vibrio cholerae.
Cholera affects both children and adults and can kill within hours if untreated, according to the World Health Organization.
Aside from boiling the water, the DOH regional office advises the public to practice household water treatment with chlorine, aquatabs and hyposol; regular cleaning of storage reservoir and water tanks; proper hygiene; proper food preparation; avoid eating street-vended food; keeping food away from insects and rats; washing of fruits and vegetables with clean water before eating or cooking; use of toilet when defecating; and seeking early consultation. (PNA)
