BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The number of cholera cases in Negros Occidental climbed to seven, based on new data released by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) yesterday morning.
According to the PHO, there are now five confirmed cholera cases in Silay City – three from Barangay Guinhalaran and one each from the villages of Lantad and E. Lopez.
The remaining two cholera patients are from Barangay Batea in the town of E.B. Magalona and Sitio Pasil, Barangay 6A in Victorias City.
Yesterday, the reported case – a 30-year-old female from Barangay Batea, specifically in Sitio Tinapok – was discharged from the hospital.
Water samples from the area were also collected by the Municipal Health Office on Sept. 28.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said cholera outbreak may only be declared in villages with at least one case.
In a separate radio interview, Guinhalaran village chief July Opao clarified that the cholera-related fatality confirmed earlier this week by Silay City mayor Joedith Gallego was not residing in their village.
According to Opao, the 88-year-old grandmother lived in the neighboring Barangay Mambulac, and was only tagged as a resident of Barangay Guinhalaran because she was a registered voter in the village.
To recall, the grandmother died while being treated at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH) in Silay City.
Initially, her death certificate indicated a different cause of death, but a laboratory test result released by the TLJPH later confirmed she had cholera.
Opao, meanwhile, has no problem with regards to Gallego’s decision to declare a cholera outbreak in their village, pointing out that the most important thing is that every resident of the city will now be aware and more careful.
He said they are already conducting an information drive to alert residents.
Earlier, PHO head Dr. Ernell Tumimbang urged Negrenses not to panic, as the cholera cases were “isolated.”
He pointed out that unlike coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which is viral and can easily be transmitted, cholera is bacterial and originates from unsanitary water or poorly prepared food.
Tumimbang advised Negrenses to boil their drinking water first and practice proper hygiene by washing their hands before preparing or eating their meals.
“Personal hygiene matters to avoid cholera,” he pointed out.
The PHO said Lacson has already advised all local government units (LGUs) to make sure that their sources of potable water are safe.
“LGUs should inspect water sources, especially during this rainy season,” the PHO chief said./PN
