Diarrhea outbreak in Danao: 30 new patients bring total to 210

CEBU, Philippines – More patients suffering from diarrhea were brought to the Danao General Hospital yesterday bringing the latest count to 210 since last week.

There were 30 new cases yesterday in the northern city of Danao, which is located 33 kilometers from Cebu City.

City Health and Provincial Health officials are now monitoring the spread of the disease and are looking for ways to stop its spread.

Danao City General Hospital Chief, Dr. David Indino said that some of the 210 cases have already been discharged.

At least one death has been confirmed, but there are reports that three have died from the disease. The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) under Dr. Cristina Giango is still investigating the matter.

Cebu 5th District Rep. Ramon "Red" Durano V visited the patients yesterday to offer his support.

He had initially released medicine and other needed supplies for the patients. He has already instructed his staff to coordinate with the City Health and the Danao General Hospital administration.

The provincial government has also extended its assistance to the victims, who are now overcrowding the hospital with many occupying tents set up outside the facility.

The IPHO personnel are also working with the personnel of the Danao Waterworks System.

The water source in barangay Tabok, which is one that is worst-hit by the outbreak, has been tagged as root of the problem.

Officials of Danao City also met yesterday about the matter, but are yet to determine how much is left of their calamity fund that they can tap.

An outbreak has also been declared in barangays Taytay and Cambanay.

There are a total of 42 barangays in Danao City.

Danao City Councilor Carmen Ivy Durano-Meca, president of the Cebu Provincial Councilor's League, is scheduled to distribute ready to eat food and water supply to the patients.

Meca visited the hospital and assured the patients of the support from the PCL-Cebu province.

She also facilitated the use of the double decks from the old Danao City Foundation Hospital in barangay Guinsay.

Health officials are now also closely looking into cases in barangays Baliang, Santa Rosa and Cagat.

The residents have been advised to boil their water including what would be used to wash the dishes and utensils.

Cebu City To Give Aid

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama sent a medical team to Danao City yesterday to assess how the city government can help.

Under the city's Big Brother Program where assistance is extended to Cebu City's neighboring cities and towns, Rama said that they are willing to provide aid in whatever way they can to the hospital, which is flooded with patients.

"Danao needs help kay naa man sila'y outbreak. Kung ato lang nang tanawon, di mahimo because Cebu City has a big brother orientation that has been there even in the time of Mayor Tom (Osmeña)," Rama said.

Rama was able to speak with the hospital management and learned that the hospital needs additional beds after the hospital was forced to implement twin-sharing while some patients just brought their own folding beds.

Danao General Hospital only has a capacity of 25 beds. Some patients have transferred to the nearest hospital in Mandaue while the others who have suffered from severe dehydration were transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

"I have checked if nakakita na ba sila og additional higdaanan. We will also check if kulang sila og fluid, dextrose, etc. We will go through proper documentation aron makatabang sad ta didto," Rama said.

He also gave instructions to the City Health Department to be tight in their monitoring of diarrhea cases in Cebu City to prevent it from reaching an outbreak level.

"Sampling will be needed. MCWD (Metropolitan Cebu Water District) should also be cognizant. We don't know how far and how it happened. I wish it is not that there is intrusion in our piping. I wish there is nothing wrong with our water," Rama said.  With Jessica Ann R. Pareja/NLQ (FREEMAN)