Palarong Pambansa diarrhea hits 169 athletes, coaches

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – At least 169 people mostly athletes from Region 8 participating in the Palarong Pambansa here were downed by diarrhea.

Eleven of the victims were admitted to the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital.

Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo, in a text message, said Gov. Roel Degamo already ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.

Dr. Jennifer Picardal disclosed that the latest cases as of 4:45 p.m. yesterday include elementary and secondary athletes and five coaches.

Picardal said one of the victims admitted to the hospital showed severe symptoms, such as vomiting.

Other victims who sought medical attention experienced fever, headache and vomiting, she said.

The “outbreak”, Picardal said, started on April 17, three days after the delegation arrived here. The Palarong Pambansa officially starts today.

The medical team of the Region 8 delegation suspected that the cause could be the contaminated water supplied to the official caterer of the Western Visayas delegation, she said.

She disclosed that during the first three days of their stay at the Colegio de Sta. Catalina de Alejandria (COSCA) where they are billeted, it was the Siaton West District of the Department of Education that supplied them water until the official caterer arrived and took over beginning April 17.

Other possible causes such as the food taken from outside the billeting area are being considered.

Measures are now undertaken to prevent new cases, Picardal said.

Yesterday, athletes were advised not to leave the COSCA premises and were told to reserve their energy for the opening ceremonies today.

Water samples have already been submitted for laboratory testing.

But Picardal said the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital (NOPH) informed them that the results would only be known after at least three days.  The caterer has been asked to obtain water supply from the Siaton West District of Siaton, Negros Oriental.

Picardal said the “outbreak” may have caused by amoebiasis and that unless there is approval from the medical team, they will not allow the victims to play.

Picardal also admitted that at least six diarrhea cases from delegates from Region 10 were reported although these were during the time when they were on their way to Dumaguete City. 

Around 12,000 athletes from all over the country are expected to participate in the annual games, which run from April 21 to 27.

The opening program today will be graced by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa. — /LPM (FREEMAN)