By CESAR JOLITO III
The Bacolod City Health Office (CHO), through its City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, is investigating a cluster of diarrhea-like illnesses affecting six family members in Barangay Singcang-Airport, believed to be linked to the consumption of contaminated shellfish.
Initial findings showed that on March 19, the family gathered seashells, which were later prepared as clam soup for lunch the following day.
By the evening of March 20, six out of 10 family members began experiencing symptoms, including watery yellowish diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and headache.
Those affected were aged 44, 25, 21, 20, 17, and six.
The symptoms persisted over the weekend, prompting three family members to seek medical attention on Sunday, March 22, at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital.
Two patients — a 20-year-old male and a 25-year-old male — were admitted for treatment, while a 44-year-old female was managed on an outpatient basis.
As of Wednesday, March 25, one patient remains confined in the hospital.
Health authorities formally launched an investigation, collecting specimen samples from affected individuals for laboratory testing.
Stool examinations and rectal swabs were conducted to determine the cause of the illness.
Two family members were noted to be asymptomatic.
The CHO reported that oral rehydration solutions and necessary medications were administered to those affected.
The office also implemented sanitation measures, advising the family on proper water disinfection, hygiene practices, and safe food handling and preparation.
Health education sessions on proper waste disposal were likewise conducted.
CHO’s Environmental Sanitation Division head, Dr. Grace Tan, said the office has already coordinated with all major hospitals in Bacolod to monitor for any additional cases presenting similar symptoms.
Local authorities also issued an immediate temporary ban on shellfish gathering along the coastal area, with particular focus on zones near waste accumulation sites where water quality may be compromised.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation and are urging the public to exercise caution when consuming shellfish, especially those collected from unverified or potentially contaminated sources./CJ, WDJ