Calamity declared in toledo Brgy: Number of sick people rising

CEBU, Philippines — The number of sick residents in Sitio Bayabas, Barangay Subayon, Toledo City, has increased from 20 to 28, but until now medical authorities have yet to determine what these patients are sick of and what is causing the disease.

With this, Subayon Barangay Captain Florante Lariba said that the barangay council has already declared the barangay under a state of calamity so they can augment their funds.

As of yesterday, the number of affected residents has increased from 20 persons to 28. Nine of them were admitted to the Toledo City Hospital because they were severely affected while the rest were allowed to go home after being cured.

Lariba said that the barangay together with the Provincial Epidemiological Surveillance Unit (PESU) have conducted the Typhidot Test and showed a negative result, so the sickness can’t be typhoid.

There was also speculation that the patients were infected with dengue, but they also underwent a Complete Blood Count and medical authorities said that their blood count was normal. However, they will still continue observation and follow up after two to five days.

“Sa pagkakaron, maglisod g’yud ko og huna-huna kung unsa gyud ang rason tungod sa mga nagkalainlaing’ resulta,” Lariba said.

He added that most of the patients suffered from dehydration and so they were given dextrose provided by Toledo Vice Mayor Antonio Yapha Jr.

Yesterday, PESU gave medicines such as paracetamol, vitamins and antibiotics and the Lebumfacil Sta. Ana Medical Foundation also gave free medicines to the residents affected.

In a text message, Dr. Cynthia Genosolango, chief of Provincial Health office said PESU got a water sample from the sitio’s source of water which is a well.

Genosolango also said that she received a report about a person has had fever for two weeks who was brought to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival. But when sought for comment, Lariba denied any of his constituents had died.

The Regional Epidemiological Surveillance Unit is set to visit the barangay today to inspect the area and search for possible cause of the disease.

They are also set to inspect two poultry farms in the area where a lot of flies allegedly come from. These flies are reportedly eyed as another possible cause of the illness.

Medical Officer in Toledo City Hospital Clyde Bequilla advised the residents that if they feel feverish for two days, they should immediately consult a doctor for check-up. Lariba said many of his constituents chose to ignore their illness and hope to ride it out because they cannot afford to pay for hospital services. — /BRP (FREEMAN)