A cholera outbreak has been declared in Barangay Alijis, Bacolod City.
Dr. Ma. Carmela Gensoli, City Health Officer, said in her outbreak advisory that there has been an increase in cases of cholera infection in Barangay Alijis that is causing alarm and apprehension among its residents.
She said the most recent cholera positive cases in the barangay involve a mother and her two young children.
Cholera is caused by ingesting water or food that have been contaminated by the cholera bacterium, causing the infected person to suffer from severe diarrhea and vomiting, Gensoli said.
Bacolod City now has a total of 13 cholera positive cases and Negros Occidental has 17.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez said the outbreak declaration was issued to prevent further infections in the barangay, although the three positive cases are only from one household.
He has instructed the City Health Office to determine the source of their cholera, Benitez said.
The city government has intensified presumptive testing of water sources in Bacolod, he said.
The names of all water refiling stations found to be compliant with city government sanitary and safety regulatory standards will be posted by the Public Information Office so the public will know, Benitez said.
The Bacolod City Water District has also been asked to continue testing its water for safety, Benitez said.
Alijis Barangay Captain Donny dela Vega said the declaration of an outbreak will allow the barangay to use its calamity budget to address the problem.
Dela Vega said a barangay task force has been created to test water sources in their 47 puroks, and medicines will be purchased for residents hit with diarrhea.
Gensoli said everyone are encouraged to practice proper sanitation, basic hygiene, and to be vigilant for signs and symptoms of cholera.
Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, Provincial Health Officer, also reported 17 cholera positive cases in Negros Occidental.
He said water samples have been taken in the areas where the cholera cases were detected for testing.
It is the task of the local government units to ensure that water in their towns and cities are safe for residents to drink, he said.
Residents must also be reminded of the need to ensure that the water and food they ingest are safe, he added.*