15 diarrhea deaths in city since January

Fifteen deaths were recorded in Cebu City from January to May due to unsanitary food and drinks.  Although the figures are comparatively lesser compared to the same period in 2006, health officials are worried that the number of fatalities will increase in the coming months.

Health officials said diarrhea can be easily prevented by ensuring that the food and drinks to be consumed are clean.

Diarrhea is loose, watery stools.  A person with diarrhea typically passes stool more than three times a day.  People with diarrhea may pass more than a quart of stool a day.

Prolonged diarrhea persisting for more than two days may be a sign of a more serious problem and poses the risk of dehydration, which means the body lacks enough fluid to function properly.

Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children and older people, and it must be treated promptly to avoid serious health problems.

Bacteria and other microorganisms are usually spread by contaminated hands or through unsanitary food and water.

Health officials suggest that since contaminated hands spread most of diarrhea-causing microorganisms, thorough hand washing with soap and water and careful cleaning of all parts of the hands is an important measure to prevent diarrhea.

Dorenda Macasucol, the assistant chief of the Cebu City epidemiology surveillance and statistics unit, said those who died of diarrhea came from barangays Adlawon, Alaska-Mambaling, Apas, Banilad, Basak-Pardo, Luz, Calamba, Inayawan, Camputhaw, Kasambagan and Mambaling.

“Nabalaka mi kay ingon niining nagsugod na ang uwan-uwan, malagmit nga modaghan ang kaso sa diarrhea tungod kay ang tinubdan sa tubig posible man nga ma-contaminated sa kagaw,” Macasucol said.  — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP