Cholera in Catmon: Residents urged: Help solve problem

CEBU, Philippines - Health officials are calling on residents in Catmon to do their part in addressing the problem of cholera in the town.

Dr. Cristina Giango of the Provincial Health Office said 29 cases have been recorded in the town as of yesterday. Patients are confined at Juan B. Dosado Memorial Hospital in the neighboring town of Sogod.

Most of the patients come from a clustered area in Barangay Macaas. Last December 26, eight patients from Sitio Upper Laplaya in Barangay Macaas was admitted to the hospital due to dehydration.

The other patients come from Catmon Daan and Barangay Flores.

Municipal Health Officer Dr. Edna Orlanes said residents in the coastal areas, especially those who have evacuated from mountain barangays, don’t possess proper toilets, which is seen as a contributing factor in the spread of cholera.

However, these residents reportedly have not taken the initiative to avail of the free toilet bowls that the municipal government is giving out.

“Mubuhat sad sila sa ilang parte. Magtinabangay gud ta,” Orlanes said.

Sanitary Inspector Libby Joring said the residents should take part in addressing the problem because the municipal officials have been doing their job.

“Naningkamot man mi. Ang mga residente ang iresponsable. It takes two to tango baya. We’re doing our best,” Joring told The FREEMAN.

While water is seen to be the primary cause of the disease, health officials are still investigating if uncooked food or kinilaw and seashells could also have caused it. It is also reportedly possible that the disease was brought to the town by a carrier.

“Posible sad dili gyud gikan diri. Basin gikan sa infected individual nga ni-ari diri sa area. Apan daghan pang aspeto nga among gitan-aw,” Orlanes said.

She also urged the residents to re-heat their food and boil their water.

Last Wednesday, health officials in Catmon convened with provincial sanitary inspectors to work out plans to strengthen their environmental sanitation initiatives through information dissemination and water sanitation inspection.

They also plan to purchase a chlorinator as soon as possible.

Catmon currently has a municipality health officer, two sanitary inspectors and 100 barangay health workers.  (FREEMAN NEWS)