Diarrhea outbreak in Samar now under control - DOH

PALO, Leyte, June 15 (PNA) –- Diarrhea outbreak in Samar province is now under control with no new reported deaths this week from this waterborne disease, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Wednesday.

From June 13 to 14, only 173 new cases have been recorded by local health authorities, prompting the DOH regional office to declare that the situation has been improving.

Most cases are controlled except in Sta. Rita, Samar where six patients are still admitted at the local health facility, said DOH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Minerva Molon.

The DOH said this new cases are just normal occurrence and no fatality has been reported since June 7, which means that deaths due to diarrhea are now controlled.

The improving situation can be attributed to massive information drive, distribution of medicines, and provision of aquatabs or water disinfectant tablets, according to Molon.

The outbreak, associated with contaminated drinking water, has already claimed the lives of 44 victims in three Samar provinces and Tacloban City. At least 3,669 persons have fallen ill between April to early June this year.

“DOH is closely working with different stakeholders and meticulously monitoring the affected areas to address the outbreak. The summer season dries up some of the water sources in the area, prompting people to get their drinking water from other non-potable sources,” Molon said.

Fiesta celebrations, according to the DOH official, also aid up the increase of cases due to person-to-person transmission and improper handling of food.

The health department advised the public to drink water only from safe sources, eat well-cooked and properly prepared food, keep food away from insects and rats, use toilet when defecating, and always wash hands before and after eating and after using the toilet.

“We will not sit down until such time that there’s potable water in the area and we will continue our health education and promotion until people improve their health seeking behavior. And if we work all together, half of the job is done,” Molon said. (PNA)

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