LBM downs 152

CEBU, Philippines - Over a period of three days 152 people working in a manufacturing firm in Danao City fell victim to a diarrhea outbreak, 48 of them are now different hospitals in Cebu.

The Department of Health Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit-7 confirmed that at least 152 employees of Cebu Mitsumi Inc. in Barangay Sabang, Danao City, suffered from a “digestive disorder”.

RESU-7 chief epidemiologist Rennan Cimafranca said the reports of diarrhea cases started Tuesday afternoon, when employees sought medical treatment in their company’s clinic.

He said the incident can be considered an outbreak.

Thirty-eight individuals were referred for admission as of yesterday afternoon; 13 were admitted to the Cebu Velez General Hospital in Cebu City, and 25 in the Mendero Medical Center in Consolacion, Cebu.

However as of last night this number rose to 48.

“We are in constant coordination with the concerned personnel of the hospital,” he said.

Other victims, Cimafranca added, still need to be traced to determine their current conditions. He also said there were no reports of fatalities.

He said their unit is still trying to determine the source of the outbreak.

“We are obtaining all possible samples we could get from the facilities of the firm and from food stalls located outside the firm, which is right in front of Mitsumi,” said Cimafranca.

He said they are also coordinating with the management of the manufacturing firm since they need to get samples from their facilities, particularly their water stations and the company’s canteen.

“We still need to determine if kon unsa’y problema, if water-related or food-related ang cause of diarrhea,” he said, noting the importance of containing the cause of the infection to prevent the number of victims from increasing.

Dr. Prudencio Manubag, Cebu Provincial Hospital-Danao City chief of hospital, said two employees admitted to their hospital last Monday and Wednesday were well enough to go home

“Karon ok na man sila. Puede na gani ni sila kagawas,” he said over the phone.

Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera, who talked with Manubag, said the sanitary inspector of Danao and the team from the Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit already talked with the patients.

“As per patients, the source of contamination is the drinking water fountain in the company,” Natera said.

The FREEMAN tried to reach the management of Mitsumi last night but desk officer Trisha Cabreros said they officials were still having a meeting. — /BRP (FREEMAN)