Philippines: 2010 Diarrhea outbreaks

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/249521/diarrhea-cases-rise-ifugao

Diarrhea cases rise in Ifugao
By DEXTER A. SEE
March 25, 2010, 4:29pm

MAYOYAO, Ifugao ? The Cordillera office of the Department of Health (DoH) magnified Thursday its warning to local residents against diarrhea which has emerged in 14 barangays of this town this month.

From March 1 to date, the local health office recorded 54 diarrhea patients hospitalized and 31 more treated as out-patients due to the same infection.

Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, DoH-Cordillera Administrative Region director, said the agency has not yet declared a diarrhea outbreak in the town but warned residents that if unchecked, the numbers may rise.

Cabotaje sad the only reason why an outbreak of diarrhea has not been declared is because there has been no clustered-cases of infection yet.

Meanwhile, health authorities have conducted chlorination in the sources of water of the 14 barangays while trying to find out the real cause of the sudden surge in diarrhea cases.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Philippines: 2010 Diarrhea outbreaks

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/192522/diarrhea-downs-209-people-in-ncotabato-town

Home > Regions > Mindanao
Diarrhea downs 209 people in NCotabato town
06/03/2010 | 10:38 AM

PRESIDENT ROXAS, North Cotabato ? At least 209 cases of diarrhea have been monitored in this town, prompting the local health office to deploy health personnel to prevent the water-borne disease from spreading further.

Municipal health officer Dominic Laos, M.D., on Wednesday said most of the victims are residents of nine communities in Barangay (village) Poblacion.

Laos said only nine of the reported 209 victims were brought to the nearby New Cebu District Hospital, while the rest are undergoing self-medications in their homes.

Laos suspected the disease was caused by contaminated water, particularly coming from the Greenhills and Noah reservoirs, after torrential rains poured in North Cotabato in the past few days.

Health personnel were dispatched to Barangay Poblacion to conduct orientation in affected areas to prevent the spread of the disease to adjacent communities and villages, Laos said.

"We also took water samples... and brought them to Davao City for examination...," he said, adding he has already ordered the distribution of medicines, chlorine and water containers to the affected residents.

"We advised them to boil their water and store it in clean water containers before drinking," he said.

He also urged residents to visit the health office at once if they experience loose bowel movement and stomach ache.

The local water utility in the area also conducted water flashing in reservoirs to make sure that water being supplied to Barangay Poblacion and other villages is safe for human use...