BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A cholera outbreak was declared by the City Health Office in Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City, following an increase in the number of cases.
In an advisory issued by Bacolod City Health Officer, Dr. Ma. Carmela Gensoli, said that the increase of cholera cases to three in Brgy. Alijis, Bacolod City, has caused alarm and apprehension to its residents.
Cholera, according to Gensoli, is caused by ingesting water or food that has been contaminated by the cholera bacterium, causing the infected person to suffer severe diarrhea and vomiting.
The CHO strongly encouraged everyone to practice proper sanitation, basic hygiene and to be vigilant for signs and symptoms of cholera.
To mitigate the disease, the Bacolod City government required the Business Permits and License Office to report a list of water refilling stations that have complied to the sanitary and safety regulatory standards, for the awareness of consumers and to ensure access to safe water.
About 112 water refilling stations have recently been closed by the city government to failing to secure sanitary and business permits.
The Provincial Health Office also reported on October 25 that Negros Occidental logged a total of 17 cholera cases, with two deaths.
Talisay City has three additional cholera cases, bringing to five its total number of cases. Silay City and EB Magalona also have five cases each, and one case each in Victorias City and Calatrava.
The two cholera-related deaths were reported in EB Magalona and Silay City.
A cholera outbreak was earlier declared in three the barangays of Tanza, Batea and Poblacion 3 of EB Magalona, due to clustering of such cases.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang reiterated his reminders for the local government units to check the potability of water in areas where there are clustering of cholera cases.
Water samples will also be taken from those areas for examination by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicines to trace the source of infection and provide interventions, Tumimbang said.*
