Diarrhea downs 88 in Carmen

CEBU, Philippines - The diarrhea cases since February 13 in almost all the 21 barangays in Carmen town, Northern Cebu downed 88 persons aged between 3 months to 64 years old.

Integrated Provincial Health Office head Dr. Cristina Giango said  the last three victims were reported last Thursday by the team from her office.

The patients were examined at Danao District Hospital and at the Carmen Rural Health Unit.

Giango said incident could not be considered as outbreak although the number was increasing since the case was reported.

Two chlorinators were already installed in water sources believed to be the source of the infectious disease called amoebiasis.

IPHO also recommends the rehabilitation of water distribution pipes of the Uragay water works.

In the meantime, residents were advised to boil drinking water for 30 minutes and properly wash their hands.

Proper disposal of human feces and garbage must also be observed.

There were cases reportedly in several barangays but Luyang has the highest with 27 cases.

Majority of the victims were those using water from Uragay water system, which uses improvised chlorination process.

The most common signs and symptoms were watery stool and vomiting.

The Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU), Danao Provincial Hospital and Carmen RHU joined hands to conduct an investigation, residual chlorine testing, collection of water samples for analysis and close monitoring of additional cases.

They also coordinated to supply medicines and supplies including antibiotics, chlorine and oral rehydrating solutions.

The Municipal Health Office is also supervising household chlorination and intensifying the conduct of community information and education campaign on environmental sanitation.

The surface water flowing from Uragay in barangay Cantumog through Luyang River in Carmen will be utilized in the P700 million bulk water project to be jointly undertaken by the Province of Cebu and the Ayala-led Manila Water Consortium.  (FREEMAN)