Diarrhea outbreak in Danao City: Four barangays under state of calamity

CEBU, Philippines – The Danao City Council has declared four barangays under state of calamity after more than 200 people, mostly children, have been afflicted with diarrhea.

The City Council yesterday approved the resolution that declares Barangays Tabok, Taytay, Cambanay and Guinsay under state of calamity because of the diarrhea outbreak.

The declaration was necessary to expedite the release of funds needed to purchase medicines and other needs of the patients.

Records at the Danao City Health Office show that the number of patients admitted at the Danao District Hospital already reached 263.

Taytay Barangay Captain Reynaldo Laurente was among the latest to be afflicted by the disease. Laurente is now confined at the district hospital since Wednesday.

The city health department is also verifying reports that there are some patients admitted to private hospitals in Cebu City.

The city government of Danao said there is P16 million available for appropriations. The City Council agreed yesterday to fund the repair of the waterworks out of the existing appropriations.

The Integrated Provincial Health Office has already sent personnel to the district hospital.

Dr. Cristina Giango, IPHO chief, said her office will continue monitoring the four affected barangays.

A team of doctors and sanitary inspectors were also sent yesterday by the Cebu City Government to help attend to the needs of the patients in Danao.

Mayor Michael Rama said that doctors and inspectors will not be pulled out until the outbreak is over.

Portalets or portable toilets were also sent as requested as they continue to assess in what way they can further be of help.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia welcomed the city government's assistance under its Big Brother Program where it helps neighbor cities and municipalities during times of dire needs and other urgent purposes.

"Very good! I'm very, very happy that Cebu City is reaching out to a fellow, a colleague in the league," Garcia said.

The doctors and inspectors sent were from the Cebu City Medical Center and the City Health Department.

Doctors shall assist in the hospital while the inspectors will assist the health team of the town in inspecting water sources and ensure the contamination will not reach the other households.

Rama said that they did not provide medicines because there are still sufficient supplies provided by the provincial government.

Fearing that same thing may happen in Cebu City, Rama earlier ordered the CHD to tighten its monitoring of the city's water resources to prevent contamination and possible outbreak.

He ordered this as the long holiday is approaching when, as observed, there is high chance of food and water borne diseases.

Rama also appealed to the Metropolitan Cebu Water District to conduct more water sampling especially in areas where there are reported pipe leakage. - Jose P. Sollano, Gregg M. Rubio and Jessica Ann R. Pareja/FPL (FREEMAN)