Mayor Renato Gustilo has declared a state of health emergency in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, amid “an alarming rise in cases of amoebiasis”.
There were 190 cases of amoebiasis reported in 10 San Carlos barangays from January to February, Gustilo said on Thursday, February 23.
About 90 of the cases occurred in January and 100 in February, he said.
Barangays Buluangan and Rizal had the most number of reported cases, he said.
There were lapses in the reporting of the cases to him by the City Health Office or he could have declared the health emergency earlier, he said.
Gustilo said he visited the San Carlos City Hospital to check on the patients confined for amoebiasis and to ensure the responsiveness of health personnel.
He said water samples have been taken from the homes of those hit with amoebiasis and from water refilling stations for laboratory tests.
It is also possible that the amoebiasis came from food, he said.
Amoebiasis, or amoebic dysentery, is an infection of the intestines caused by a parasitic amoeba Entamoeba histolytica. Symptoms may include lethargy, loss of weight, colonic ulcerations, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea.
Gustilo said amoebiasis can be prevented by boiling water, cleaning ones surroundings, washing hands and ensuring proper food hygiene.*