Cholera outbreak declared in Bacolod

Cholera outbreak has been declared by the local government of Silay City in Negros Occidental, following the death of an 88-year-old grandmother last Sunday, in Barangay Guinhalaran, Bacolod City.

According to Silay Mayor Joedith Gallego, the declaration of an outbreak in Guinhalaran is also based on the recommendation of Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, Provincial Health Officer.

September 22, 2022, when the senior citizen, Teresita Lopez Jalandoni lost her life at the Provincial Hospital Silay City.

Jalandoni was brought to the hospital with a strange illness but when he underwent a confirmatory test, he came out positive for cholera.

So far, the water sample from the said barangay has been sent to Manila for laboratory tests.

The City Health Office (CHO) is also conducting an inspection of all sources of water in the city including water refilling stations.

The Provincial Health Office also recommended the activation of the Local Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Committee, examination of water sources, and implementation of chlorination of water sources in the area, especially those that have tested positive for cholera, as well as boiling water that they will drink.

Meanwhile, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also urged all local government units as well as the public to practice the safe acquisition and consumption of drinking water as a precaution against acute gastroenteritis.

Lacson said that AGE is a disease that people need to avoid by being careful with the water they use, keeping the environment and the community clean.