DOH declares diarrhea outbreak in Carnaza

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Health-7 has declared a diarrhea outbreak in Carnaza Island, Daanbantayan, northern Cebu after more than 100 people, mostly children, have been afflicted with the disease.

Dr. Rene Catan, head of Provincial Health Office (PHO), confirmed that sources of drinking water from eight dug wells in the island are positive for fecal coliform, adding that the supply of water sourced from Biliran province has also been found to be contaminated.

Carnaza is roughly 43 kilometers or 23 nautical miles from the island province of Biliran.

At least 14 of the 101 patients were admitted to Daanbantayan District Hospital due to severe gastroenteritis and dehydration. The 87 were rushed to the district’s outpatient department but were later sent home after given treatment.

According to the Department of Health's Regional Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (DOH-RESU) report dated Feb.17, the youngest patient treated was four years old, while the oldest was 66-year old.  Most of those affected were under the 10- to 20-year-old age group.

Health officials said there has been no record of fatalities.

Catan said the patients suffered stomach pains or abdominal cramps, vomiting, fever, and loose bowel movement.

He said that the e-coli is a type of bacteria that has contaminated the drinking water of residents in Carnaza was brought about by their unsanitary practices.

The presence of fecal coliform bacteria in aquatic environments or ambient water indicates that the water has been contaminated with the fecal material of domestic sewage or non-point sources of human and animal waste.

The source water may have been contaminated by pathogens or disease producing bacteria or viruses which can also exist in fecal material, causing typhoid fever, viral and bacterial gastroenteritis and Hepatitis A.

Catan said the increasing trend of diarrhea cases in northern Cebu was first noted on February 2.

“Unusual ang increase but wala pa moabot sa critical level,” he said.

He said PHO sanitary inspectors have been dispatched to Daanbantayan to conduct water sampling tests as well as to closely monitor the diarrhea cases there.

Medicines and fluids were given to the affected individuals. The province might also donate a water chlorinator to the island-barangay.

Catan said the local government is currently getting a supply of water from mainland Cebu following the outbreak.

Catan also said water systems, not only in Carnaza but in the whole province, have to be improved to ensure clean, potable and safe drinking water.

Among the recommendations of DOH-RESU were the establishment of closed system water systems free from possible exposure to outside elements; put up perimeter fence in all water sources; disallow septic tanks within 25-meter radius of water sources, among others.

The health office also recommended to the municipal health office to intensify its information and health education activities on the treatment, prevention and control of diarrheal diseases and personal hygiene in the community, especially among households with identified cases. (FREEMAN)