CEBU, Philippines – With the advent of the rainy season, the Department of Health is urging the public to be alert on waterborne diseases such as diarrhea.
Department of Health Environmental Health Program Coordinator Engr. Evangeline Canoneo gave the warning following the incident in Barangay Calmante in Tudela town when diarrhea downed 55 people in just one week. It was found out that water contamination was the main cause of the outbreak in Tudela town.
Canoneo said diarrhea, an increase in the frequency of bowel movements, is caused by bacteria and can be acquired through contaminated water and food.
Canoneo urged those who collect their drinking water from artesian wells to first boil the water for three to five minutes and store the same in a clean container before drinking.
Other common waterborne diseases include cholera, typhoid fever and amoebiasis.
Environmental sanitation and personal hygiene stressing on the universal basic practice of handwashing before and after eating and after using the toilet is also vital to prevent the risk of infection, Canoneo stressed.
When buying water from refilling stations, Canoneo also advised the public to always check whether the bacteriological test certificate is updated as this is done on a monthly basis.
She said water refilling stations must always display the results of their updated bacteriological exam to guarantee that their water is free from any coliform bacteria.
Though the DOH issues the permit to operate for water refilling stations, it is the role of the local government units to conduct regular monitoring on the water safety of these water refilling stations, Caoneo said.
DOH-7 Regional Dengue Program Coordinator Dr. Jocelyn Abellana, on the other hand, advised that the mineral content of the product must be always checked in buying bottled water.
“Before buying bottled water, try to see its mineral components and if these reach over 30 minerals which is good for the health. Although the best is ionized water because it contains energized crystals but is more expensive,” Abellana said.
Abellana also said that purified water is free from bacteria, but has zero mineral content. (THE FREEMAN)