The confirmed cholera cases in Bacolod City have increased to nine, Dr. Carmela Gensoli, Bacolod City health officer, said Sunday, October 16.
She said the cases are sporadic with only one per household. This could be caused by lack of proper hygiene, Gensoli said, pointing out that cholera has not affected entire families or communities.
There is no clustering of cases in one area, Gensoli assured, which is an indication that the cholera cases are unlikely to have been caused by water sources used by all.
The cholera cases were reported in barangays Granada and Sum-ag – two each, and barangays 14, Tangub, Handumanan, Mansilingan and Alijis – one each.
The city government will chlorinate open dug wells and deep wells in the barangays as a precaution, Gensoli said.
Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated, the World Health Organization said.
The Bacolod City Health Office earlier temporarily closed down 112 water refilling stations without business and sanitary permits as part of its massive campaign to ensure the public’s safety.
Gensoli said of the 112 water refiling stations that were closed down, about half have been processing the requirements to enable them to reopen.*