DOH monitoring diarrhea cases in Romblon villages

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) is now closely monitoring a number of barangays in two towns in Romblon where diarrheal cases have risen over the past two months, an official said yesterday.

DOH Region 4-B director Eduardo Janairo said there were 176 diarrheal cases documented by the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit in the towns of Cajidiocan and San Fernando from Feb. 5 to April 14.

The cases were reported in the barangays of Taclobo, Mabulo, España, Poblacion, Azagra, Otod, Mabini, Campalingo, Danao, Panangcalan, Canjalon, Pili, and Sugod.

“Teams were dispatched to study the situation in the affected communities. We want to know if it is just rising or if it’s already an outbreak,” Janairo said in a phone interview.

Janairo said the cause of the increasing diarrheal cases has not yet been established but they are looking at contaminated water supply or food improperly prepared during fiestas.

“Diarrhea is dangerous. It is one of the major causes of dehydration which if not treated immediately can lead to death. When our body loses a substantial amount of fluids and salts, they are not easily replaced and that is when the body starts to ‘dry up’ or get dehydrated,” he said.

He said diarrhea is “an infection caused by bacteria, parasite or virus which can easily spread from person to person.”

“The only way we can prevent it is by practicing personal hygiene such as washing our hands regularly with soap and water and taking a bath regularly,” he added.

DOH records show that those afflicted were aged four months to 78, and there were two deaths. All patients were taken to the Sibuyan District Hospital in Romblon for proper treatment and medication.

Diarrhea is characterized by loose watery stools, vomiting, sunken eyeballs, and dry lips and skin. Swelling of the skin and fever were present in some cases.

Janairo has ordered the implementation of control and preventive measures in the province such as the collection of specimens for laboratory examination, water sampling, and cleaning and chlorination of water tanks and wells in the affected villages.

“The golden rule to follow in the prevention of diarrheal diseases is to properly ‘boil, cook, peel or forget about it!’ We should also consider where to eat, the time when the food was prepared and be sure that the food establishment and food vendor practices proper food handling and hygiene. Being cautious has also its own health benefit,” he said.     – With Arnell Ozaeta