DOH declares acute gastro-enteritis epidemic in Central P’sinan

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit has declared an acute gastro-enteritis epidemic in Central Pangasinan after about 2,778 cases were reported, with 24 deaths, in at least 45 towns in two months.

Dayrit, who visited the province yesterday, said they are now using the term outbreak after they have noted an increase in the number of cases because many towns and cities have already been affected by the disease.

He added that the main cause is cholera as there were now 81 confirmed cases.

From May 31 to July 16, gravely affected are San Carlos City, with 770 cases and seven deaths; Malasiqui with 527 cases and four deaths; Bayambang, with 284 cases and two deaths; Basista, with 138 cases and three deaths; Binmaley, with 99 cases and two deaths; Sta. Barbara, with 92 cases and one death; Mangaldan, with 86 cases and three deaths; Bugallon, with 44 cases and one death; and Aguilar with 10 cases and one death.

Dayrit said they are monitoring other provinces as well. In La Union, three deaths have been reported in Bauang and one death in Sto. Tomas.

A team of epidemiologists have collected waters samples and found the organisms in the rivers as well as in the wells, he said.

The short-term solution, he said, is to ensure that people don’t get to drink contaminated water. He advised the mayors to tell their constituents to purify their drinking water, either by boiling it or by using chlorine. "The solutions to the problem are actually in the hands of the people themselves," he added.