• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Health authorities and local officials are now addressing a reported diarrhea outbreak in Barangay Inolingan of Moises Padilla in Negros Occidental.
Based on reports of the Department of Health, it recorded 84 cases of diarrhea in the barangay, affecting 34 minors and 50 adults, including eight senior citizens, according to a statement issued by the Moises Padilla municipal government.
Some of the affected were reported by the municipal government of Moises Padilla to have been hospitalized.
The situation prompted the DOH, in tandem with the Municipal Health Unit and local officials, as well as Representative Emilio Bernardino Yulo III, to hold emergency medical consultation on December 9 in the barangay.
A diarrhea, or loose bowel movement outbreak, often called gastroenteritis or stomach flu, usually means a contagious infection (virus, bacteria, parasites) from contaminated food/water or person-to-person spread, causing watery stools, cramps, nausea.
Based on initial investigations of health authorities, the sources of drinking water of residents in the barangay are from faucets or water pumps.
Water samples have already been collected for testing, to determine the source of water contamination.
On Tuesday, Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo and Rep. Yulo personally inspected the structural integrity of a water tank which provides potable water to residents in the barangay.
Diarrhea medicines were also distributed to barangay residents, and Aquatabs to purify water in the area.
During the activity, relief and medical intervention, and essential assistance was provided to affected residents.*
