BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang yesterday recommended the declaration of a cholera outbreak in three more Negros Occidental barangays, as the number of its victims rose to five, including one fatality.
Tumimbang, however stressed that there is no need to panic, as the declaration of cholera outbreak or epidemic is more of an “educational campaign” to raise awareness of the people against water contamination.
A cholera outbreak was declared by Mayor Joedith Gallego on September 26 in Brgy. Guinhalaran, Silay City, Negros Occidental, following the death of an 88-year-old resident, who tested positive for cholera, based on the result of a laboratory examination.
Tumimbang also disclosed that two other residents of barangays Guinhalaran and Lantad in Silay City, one each in Brgy. Batea, EB Magalona and Brgy. 6A in Victorias City, all in Negros Occidental, were also hit with cholera.
According to the Department of Health, it takes only one case of cholera for an outbreak to be declared in a certain area.
“The declaration of an epidemic or outbreak is more so an educational campaign, to inform the people that they have to be extra careful, rather than hide it,” Tumimbang said.
That is one way of telling the people, to do the basic on water sanitation and hygiene advocacy, he added.
He recommended the declaration of cholera outbreak in Brgy. Lantad, Silay City, Brgy. Batea in EB Magalona and Brgy, 6A in Victorias City.
Tumimbang explained cholera is a treatable disease, which could be treated by antibiotics prescribed by doctors.
Dr. Edmund Janeo, EB Magalona Municipal Health Officer, yesterday said that they are still investigating the cholera case in Brgy. Batea, as of press time.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
The Department of Health – Western Visayas, in its issued advisory, said that the rising cases of Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE) was due to consumption of contaminated water from shallow wells.*
