TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Health in Eastern Visayas reported on Tuesday that cholera cases in the region continue to rise as it already surpassed the number of logged cases of the disease last year.

Data from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit disclosed that contaminated water sources of many households sent thousands of residents to hospitals due to suspected cholera.

It also revealed that a total of 3,563 cases of cholera have been reported in the region from January to 9 September — five percent higher compared to 3,398 cases recorded over the same period of 2022.

Of the total number of cases, 2,882 were sent to hospitals for treatment, 31 were confirmed cholera cases after undergoing laboratory testing, 40 were considered probable at 3,515 were suspected cholera cases.

"Water contamination remains the primary reason for the cholera cases," said DoH-Eastern Visayas RESU manager Boyd Roderick Cerro. "Many of our water sources do not undergo treatment thus they are prone to contamination."

However, despite the higher number of cases, DoH-8 data show less casualties this year with only nine deaths compared to 23 deaths last year.

Among the provinces in the region, Eastern Samar recorded the highest number of cases with 1,390; Samar with 1,227; Leyte with 470; Northern Samar with 236; Southern Leyte with 229 and Biliran with 11 cases.

The agency is urging the public to boil water for at least three minutes or do water chlorination; keep food away from insects and rats; wash and cook food properly; dispose human waste properly; wash hands with soap and water after using toilet and before eating; keep surroundings clean to prevent flies, other insects and rodents from breeding.