BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – A public doctor here has confirmed that the public health office is inspecting water refilling stations and deep wells that are sources of drinking water in this highly-urbanized capital of more than 600,000 people.
Physician Grace Tan, who heads the Environmental Sanitation Division, told DNX the inspections come as a woman, 37, from Mansilingan village, was confined in a State hospital here for vomiting and severe watery stool.
She was discharged after several days.
The first reported case of cholera, coming in the midst of rising dengue cases, has placed the Health Office on a cholera Alert threshold or a level that, Tan said, requires urgent action.
The Centers for Disease Control describes cholera as an “acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. People can get sick when they swallow food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria.”
Tan also stressed the importance of using water only from monitored sources. Proper sanitation and hygiene is also a must.
The doctor likewise reminded the public to ensure that water pipes or hose from Baciwa-PrimeWater have no holes or leaks as this may lead to contamination.
Meanwhile, Capitol said it has not recorded yet any case of cholera in the province.
However, Health Officer Ernell Tumimbang reminded people to be cautious about the food and water they take.
He added that they have strengthened their monitoring and advocacy to prevent Negrenses from getting sick with the disease. (with a report from Rakki Raquinel)
