There are now 72 confirmed cholera cases in Negros Occidental with one new death in Murcia town, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported Tuesday, December 20.
The death in Murcia was the first reported cholera case in the town this year.
Earlier one death each were reported in Silay City and EB Magalona.
Talisay City remains to have the highest number of cholera cases at 23, followed by Silay City with 22, EB Magalona – 15, Cadiz City – 4, Victorias City 3, Pulupandan – 2, and Manapla – 2
Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. People can get sick when they swallow food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) said.
About 1 in 10 people with cholera will experience severe symptoms, which, in the early stages, include profuse watery diarrhea, sometimes described as “rice-water stools”, vomiting, thirst, leg cramps and restlessness or irritability, it added.
People with severe cholera can develop severe dehydration, which can lead to kidney failure. If left untreated, severe dehydration can lead to shock, coma, and death within hours, the CDCP said.*
Write to Carla P. Gomez