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TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) regional office in Eastern Visayas has reported 3,683 cholera cases with nine deaths from January to September this year, slightly higher at 4 percent than the 3,556 cases recorded in the same period in 2022.
Of the total cases, 2,996 were treated in hospitals, and the rest recovered through home treatment, DOH regional information officer Jelyn Lopez-Malibago said in a phone interview Tuesday.
Of the nine deaths, Eastern Samar and Samar provinces recorded three each, Leyte had two, and Northern Samar had one. Most patients who died of cholera were children.
The youngest fatality was a seven-month-old boy, while the oldest was a 93-year-old woman. The latest death was recorded on July 13.
The DOH report said 1,390 cases were in communities that lack access to safe drinking water in Eastern Samar.
Malibago said the DOH has intensified its information drive to prevent the spread of cholera.
They also strengthened their technical assistance to local government units to end the outbreak in some areas, she said.
“To prevent the possible surge of these diseases, especially during the rainy season, the Department of Health recommends the practice of good personal hygiene. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing or eating food, after using the toilet, after clean-up activities, and handling particles coming from public places and after attending to a sick person,” Malibago added.
The DOH urged the public to clean all utensils, equipment, and surfaces before and after cooking; thoroughly wash and cook all meat, seafood, and vegetables; eat properly prepared food; and eat food while it is still hot.
Drinking water from known sources, boiled or treated with chlorine is highly recommended.
“By undertaking these tasks, we will be able to attain better health outcomes in Eastern Visayas and reduce the number of food and water-borne diseases cases and deaths,” Malibago said.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the bacterium vibrio cholerae.
Symptoms will manifest between 12 hours to five days after ingesting contaminated food or water.
Among its symptoms are acute diarrhea, vomiting, and rapid dehydration.
The illness affects children and adults and can kill within hours if untreated, according to the World Health Organization.
Aside from cholera, contaminated water can also cause acute gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, dysentery, and amoebiasis, the DOH said. (PNA)
