By Alec Go
The Department of Health (DOH) in Calabarzon said Friday, Oct. 7, that it is investigating the diarrhea cases recorded among Dumagat tribes in Quezon.
The DOH said there have been 38 diarrhea cases recorded in Barangay Upper Lumutan General Nakar from Sept. 26 to Oct. 6. To date, six have died from the total cases due to severe dehydration.
The first fatality was reported on Sept. 26, while five more deaths were reported after the Rural Health Unit of General Nakar reached the affected area on Oct. 1 for assessment and investigation.
Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Head John Bobbie Roca said casualties experienced watery stools, abdominal pain, and vomiting. The first case was declared dead on arrival when he was brought to RHU Tanay.
“Among the signs and symptoms observed in patients were fever, abdominal pain, watery stool, and joint pain, and some had coughs and colds,” he said.
The DOH Calabarzon said it is closely working with the Integrated Provincial Health Office through their Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) on the provision of assistance to the affected barangay.
Medicines, aquatabs, hyposol, oral rehydration solution, and specimen kits have been supplied to the RHU.
Based on the initial findings from the rapid case investigation of the PESU and its sanitary inspector, the cases are due to amoebiasis. The DOH Calabarzon has yet to receive laboratory findings.
“We [at the DOH] are saddened by what happened to our Dumagat Natives where many have lost their lives because they were not immediately diagnosed and taken to our primary health care facility,” DOH Calabarzon Regional Director Ariel Valencia said in a news release.
The regional office reiterated its reminder to the public to drink water from safe sources and consume foods that are well-cooked and properly prepared. — gb
