Cholera outbreak in 3 Negros villages

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A cholera outbreak has been declared in three barangays in EB Magalona town in Negros Occidental.

Mayor Marvin Malacon declared the outbreak in Barangays 3 Poblacion, Batea and Tanza after four cases, including one fatality, were recorded.

He said the fatality was a 37-year-old resident of Barangay Tanza.

Malacon gave assurance that stringent measures to contain the outbreak and avert water-borne diseases are in place.

Ten water refilling stations in EB Magalona were closed after the owners failed to secure the necessary permits.

A local drinking water quality monitoring committee directed owners of water refilling stations to submit water samples for bacteriological testing to laboratories accredited by the Department of Health.

Cholera cases in Negros Occidental have risen to 12, with two deaths, according to provincial health officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang.

Five cases were recorded in Silay City, two in Talisay City and one in Victorias City.

The first fatality was a senior citizen, a resident of Barangay Guinhalaran in Silay.

Tumimbang noted that one of the 10 water samples sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for testing was positive for cholera while nine others were found to contain other bacteria.