Tacloban ‘cholera’ cases rise
TACLOBAN CITY — The City Health Office here reported that four individuals tested positive for suspected cholera in rapid diagnostic tests, bringing the total number of probable cases of the bacterial infection to six.
Daily TribuneTACLOBAN CITY — The City Health Office here reported that four individuals tested positive for suspected cholera in rapid diagnostic tests, bringing the total number of probable cases of the bacterial infection to six.
According to City Health Officer Dr. Danilo Ecarma, the four new positive cases were all residents of Barangay 106 in Sto. Niño, where 80 percent of the patients who have experienced diarrhea and vomiting came from.
The barangay is one of the most populated in the city being the site of 12 permanent housing projects of those displaced by typhoon "Yolanda."
Ecarma, however, disclosed that the six whose stool samples tested positive of the bacteria in the rapid test could not still be considered as positive "cholera" cases until a confirmatory test is done to prove it.
He added that 56 patients are now confined at the government-run Eastern Visayas Medical Center and Tacloban City Hospital due to severe cases of dehydration. Private tertiary hospitals such as Divine Word Hospital, Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Hospital and Ace Medical Center also reported admission due to similar cases.
The seven health centers here also recorded a spike in the number of people seeking consultation for diarrhea and other possible water-borne diseases, some of them are experiencing vomiting which are also symptoms of cholera infection.
Ecarma said all the community health centers have ample supply of oresol and antibiotics for the treatment of patients that are showing mild signs of cholera infection.
The city health officer added that he will propose to restrict the movement of residents who are showing symptoms of cholera to lessen the fast spread of infection.
"If you are a carrier of the bacteria and you defecate in a non-infected environment, there is a possibility that you will spread it," Ecarma said.
Earlier, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez ordered the city sanitary engineer and the business permit and licensing office to inspect all water refilling stations in the city regarding their compliance to all documentary requirements and regular water testing.
Romualdez also ordered a testing of all water sources including household taps and deep wells in seven barangays where cases were reported.
To recall, two persons have died — a 10-months old infant and a 61-year-old elderly — due to severe dehydration caused by diarrhea and vomiting.