Ronan Kelly
Retired 2020
PIA Press Release
Monday, February 14, 2011
Alerts on for cholera, diarrhea cases - DOH8
TACLOBAN CITY Leyte, February 14 (PIA) ? The Department of Health in Eastern Visayas has alerted the public on water and food borne diseases that normally comes during flooding and rainy weather.
Mr. Boyd Cerro, Sentinel Nurse of the DOH 8 confirmed that 19 cholera cases were reported in Talalora, Samar; while 111 diarrhea cases were reported in San Ricardo, Southern Leyte.
Of the three people who were admitted at the EV Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City, two were found positive for cholera, Mr. Cerro said.
A DOH Central Office personnel went to Talalora and collected six water samples and these were found positive of cholera.
Based on the investigation conducted by the DOH, the disease could have spread in Barangay Tatabunan, an island village of Talalora town due to a contaminated spring which is the main source of drinking water of the village?s 1,155 residents.
Mr. Cerro said that the outbreak of cholera in the village was first detected on the last week of January but the situation has been contained as the DOH provided medicines and intravenous fluids.
The DOH official called on the residents to boil their water before drinking to ensure that the same is safe for drinking.
Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by an infection with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, in the intestines. While the disease is treatable it could lead to death if not treated early. The victims show symptoms as watery diarrhea, vomiting and muscle pains.
Meanwhile, two barangays in San Ricardo, Southern Leyte reported about 111 cases of diarrhea. The 28 cases admitted in the hospital were found positive of amoebiasis. However, the DOH in the Region believes that there are other infections because the victims were dehydrated.
Five rectal samples have been sent to Manila for confirmation of the infection and the DOH is still waiting for the result, Mr. Cerro added.
The health officials in the region have earlier announced that they are anticipating the occurrence of water-borne diseases due to the relentless rains. Among these diseases are cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery and leptospirosis.
The DOH reminded the public to maintain proper hygiene. Poor hygiene is a major cause of the problem that waterborne diseases represents, and is the main culprit in the transfer of parasites like giardia and hookworms. Always thoroughly wash your hands with warm soap and water after using the bathroom, and try to refrain from drinking from containers that belong to other people.
Another way of preventing water-borne diseases is to keep fecal matter away from drinking water. Farm animals like cows and pigs often defecate near water that runs off or floods into villages and small towns. This contaminated water can contain highly dangerous parasites that can cause diarrhea and hepatitis in humans.
A good way to cut down on the fecal transfer between drinking water and animal fecal matter is to keep animals far away from water that could possibly be used by humans. (PIA 8)
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=16977
Monday, February 14, 2011
Alerts on for cholera, diarrhea cases - DOH8
TACLOBAN CITY Leyte, February 14 (PIA) ? The Department of Health in Eastern Visayas has alerted the public on water and food borne diseases that normally comes during flooding and rainy weather.
Mr. Boyd Cerro, Sentinel Nurse of the DOH 8 confirmed that 19 cholera cases were reported in Talalora, Samar; while 111 diarrhea cases were reported in San Ricardo, Southern Leyte.
Of the three people who were admitted at the EV Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City, two were found positive for cholera, Mr. Cerro said.
A DOH Central Office personnel went to Talalora and collected six water samples and these were found positive of cholera.
Based on the investigation conducted by the DOH, the disease could have spread in Barangay Tatabunan, an island village of Talalora town due to a contaminated spring which is the main source of drinking water of the village?s 1,155 residents.
Mr. Cerro said that the outbreak of cholera in the village was first detected on the last week of January but the situation has been contained as the DOH provided medicines and intravenous fluids.
The DOH official called on the residents to boil their water before drinking to ensure that the same is safe for drinking.
Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by an infection with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, in the intestines. While the disease is treatable it could lead to death if not treated early. The victims show symptoms as watery diarrhea, vomiting and muscle pains.
Meanwhile, two barangays in San Ricardo, Southern Leyte reported about 111 cases of diarrhea. The 28 cases admitted in the hospital were found positive of amoebiasis. However, the DOH in the Region believes that there are other infections because the victims were dehydrated.
Five rectal samples have been sent to Manila for confirmation of the infection and the DOH is still waiting for the result, Mr. Cerro added.
The health officials in the region have earlier announced that they are anticipating the occurrence of water-borne diseases due to the relentless rains. Among these diseases are cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery and leptospirosis.
The DOH reminded the public to maintain proper hygiene. Poor hygiene is a major cause of the problem that waterborne diseases represents, and is the main culprit in the transfer of parasites like giardia and hookworms. Always thoroughly wash your hands with warm soap and water after using the bathroom, and try to refrain from drinking from containers that belong to other people.
Another way of preventing water-borne diseases is to keep fecal matter away from drinking water. Farm animals like cows and pigs often defecate near water that runs off or floods into villages and small towns. This contaminated water can contain highly dangerous parasites that can cause diarrhea and hepatitis in humans.
A good way to cut down on the fecal transfer between drinking water and animal fecal matter is to keep animals far away from water that could possibly be used by humans. (PIA 8)
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=16977
