By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Department of Health in Western Visayas (DOH-6) has sent a specialized team to Negros Occidental’s San Carlos City to address the rising number of amoebiasis cases in the city.
DOH-6 director Dr. Adriano Suba-an said they have already sent some of its personnel to San Carlos last February 22, while a team from DOH Central Office-Epidemiology Bureau will be joining them for a few days to coordinate with the health offices in the locality.
Meanwhile, Charlen Pol Bistis-Anlap, San Carlos City Hospital (SCCH) spokesperson, said from January 1 to February 28, they have now recorded 257 amoebiasis cases, 57 of which were diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis.
In a report from GMA News on Tuesday, February 28, Dr. Arniel Laurence Portuguez, officer-in-charge of San Carlos City Health Office (CHO), confirmed that they now have two fatalities that are possibly related to amoebiasis.
Portuguez said the mother of a patient who died, was told to bring her three-year-old child to the hospital.
The parent was reportedly hesitant at first, and decided to rush the child to the hospital, but it was too late as the child was already severely dehydrated.
Portuguez said all severe amoeba cases are currently admitted at the SCCH.
Earlier, San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo said there were lapses with the CHO’s reporting of cases, pointing out he could have declared a health emergency much earlier if he received a proper report.
Gustilo placed the city under a state of health emergency last February 22.
The city’s main line water system has also been subjected to laboratory tests which “unofficially” detected the presence of the amoeba bacteria.
The samples have been sent to an accredited laboratory in Bacolod City for further verification, and the results are expected to be released on Friday, March 3.
Amoebiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite, Entamoeba histolytica, which is spread through human feces.
Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, stomach tenderness, and occasional fever.
Gustilo advised the city’s residents to boil water for 15 minutes before consumption or buy bottled water.
Amoebiasis can be prevented by keeping the surroundings clean, washing hands before eating and after using the toilet, and maintaining proper hygiene, Gustilo said./DGB, WDJ