“Acute gastroenteritis is a preventable disease that requires us to be precautious about the water we use ,” the DOH said.*
The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, September 19, raised an alert against the rising cases of acute gastroenteritis in Western Visayas and called on the public to take precautionary measures.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz also reminded Negros Occidental residents on Monday to prevent the spread of cholera by ensuring that their water and food are not contaminated.
The Negros Occidental Provincial Integrated Water Security Plan for 2023 to 2030 is aimed at eradicating water-borne diseases in the province, Diaz said.
Bacolod City’s alert threshold for cholera is up after one case was confirmed on Friday, September 16, Dr. Grace Tan, City Health Office (CHO) Environment Sanitation Division head, said on Sunday.
The DOH Western Visayas is currently conducting an Environmental Surveillance in affected areas, its advisory said.
It was found that most of the acute gastroenteritis cases arise from using and/or consuming contaminated water from shallow wells, the DOH advisory said.
The DOH in Western Visayas is urging the public to practice boiling of drinking water and disinfection of household containers.
This will ensure the cleanliness of the water they are about to consume or use for household activities such as bathing, washing of dishes and laundry, it said.
Water Refilling Stations are advised to post their Water Bacteriological Test Results done within the month as stated in the Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water, together with their corresponding Business Permit and other licenses, the DOH said.
“Acute gastroenteritis is a preventable disease that requires us to be precautious about the water we use and practicing good sanitation and hygiene in our immediate community,” the DOH said.
The DOH has issued the following advisory on how to disinfect water:
