Cholera cases in Catanduanes declining

MANILA, Philippines - The number of cholera cases in Virac, Catanduanes is declining, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

“The cause of the cholera outbreak had been identified so our regional office in the Bicol region reported that it is essentially contained at this time,” Health Secretary Enrique Ona said.

Ona added that from nine cases of diarrhea a day, the DOH has recorded only two cases in the area.

Health Undersecretary Ted Herbosa said the DOH has recorded a total of 1,370 diarrhea cases, including eight deaths in Catanduanes from January to June.

Of the total cases, Herbosa said, Virac accounted for 748 cases and six of the eight fatalities. Health authorities declared an outbreak after it was confirmed that the six died due to cholera.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, who is also the concurrent chair of Bicol’s Regional Development Council, said he sent a seven-man team to Catanduanes that brought a water filtration machine, water tankers, plastic water containers, relief goods and medicines for distribution to  victims of cholera  in Virac, Pandan and San Andres towns.