By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental’s Talisay City currently has the highest number of cholera cases with 22, based on new data released by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) as of November 29.

However, according to Talisay City Health Officer Dr. Joy Guanzon, all water samples submitted to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine tested negative.

She said cholera, besides contaminated water, can be acquired through unclean food preparation.

Meanwhile, Silay City has 21 cholera cases with one death, E.B. Magalona town has nine with one death, the cities of Cadiz and Victorias with three cases each, and Manapla town with one case, based on data from the PHO.

The province has 12 new confirmed cases, it said.

Earlier, PHO head Dr. Ernell Tumimbang advised the local government units to step up their monitoring of water sources and to strengthen their inspection in restaurants, eateries and food kiosks.

Tumimbang also advised the public to boil their water first before consumption, and to wash their hands regularly, especially when preparing food.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by the vibrio cholerae bacteria.

Symptoms include watery diarrhea, vomiting, thirst, leg cramps, and restlessness or irritability./DGB, WDJ