Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson issued a public health advisory Thursday, October 27, amid “an alarming increase in the number of cholera cases in the province”.
Adding to this, the recent and succeeding typhoons have caused flooding in several areas of the province which can cause further contamination of our water sources, he said.
It is strongly recommended that drinking water sources of doubtful potability should be boiled and cooled before drinking, Lacson stressed.
As reported by the Negros Occidental Health Surveillance System there were 17 confirmed cholera cases in Negros Occidental as of October 25, he said.
Until this year, there had been zero cases of cholera since last detected in 2018, he added.
Silay City, EB Magalona and Talisay City recorded five cholera cases each, while Victorias City and Calatrava had one each from September to October this year.
Silay and EB Magalona also have one cholera death each.
Cholera is a bacterial infection caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or water and can manifest in less than one day to five days. Symptoms include sudden onset of profuse, painless, watery diarrhea, nausea and vomiting that can lead to severe dehydration. In extreme cases, cholera is a rapidly fatal disease, Lacson said.*