A diarrhea outbreak has been reported in the province of Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental after residents experienced dizziness, vomiting, loose bowel movement, and some have been unconscious.
According to Barangay Butuan Councilor Maria Victoria Medel, their constituents have started to feel stomachache on December 25, but it was not given urgent attention due to the presumption that they were just full.
However, at least 5 diarrhea cases per day were reported from December 27 to 31, 2020.
“’Yung outbreak na nangyari, galing lang talaga sa isang sitio. ‘Yung cases ngayon almost 70 at 90% nito ay mula sa Sitio Malwayog kung saan hindi naabot ng source ng tubig namin. Kumukuha lang sila ng tubig mula sa poso (The outbreak came from one sitio. The number of cases has reached 70, 90% of which come from Sitio Malwayog. Our water source does not reach that place. The residents just fetch water from a well).”
In a report released by the province, 53 residents were brought to the Tomas Lachica District Hospital where 21 patients have been discharged, 1 casualty was reported, and 31 patients are confined. 17 of the confined residents are aged 14, 13 are aged 15 to 59, while 1 is 60 years old. 44 residents with mild cases from Barangay Butuan were immediately given medicine.
The Department of Health (DOH) has tasked the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit to investigate and identify the cause of the diarrhea outbreak in the area. – Report from Clodet Loreto/PTV News
