BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas sent a special team to San Carlos City, Negros Occidental to address the rising number of amoebiasis cases.
A team from the DOH central office’s Epidemiology Bureau will be joining, too, said DOH regional director Adriano Suba-an.
The special team is closely coordinating with the Provincial Health Office (PHO) as well as the San Carlos City Health Office (CHO).
Charlen Pol Bistis-Anlap, San Carlos City Hospital spokesperson, said from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28 257 persons were hospitalized due to amoebiasis; of these, 57 were also diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis.
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.
In a GMA News report on Tuesday, Feb. 28, Dr. Arniel Laurence Portuguez, officer-in-charge of the San Carlos CHO, said they recorded two deaths possibly related to amoebiasis.
Portuguez said the parent of one of the patients who died was told to bring her three-year-old child to the hospital as the condition of the child was deteriorating.
The parent initially refused. When the child was finally brought to the hospital it was too late; the latter was already severely dehydrated.
Earlier, San Carlos City mayor Renato Gustilo said there were lapses in the CHO’s reporting of cases, pointing out that had he received a proper report, he could have declared a health emergency much earlier.
Gustilo declared a state of health emergency just this Feb. 23.
The city’s main line water system was subjected to laboratory tests; amoeba bacteria were detected.
The samples were sent to an accredited laboratory in Bacolod City for further verification. The results are expected to be released on Friday, March 3.
Gustilo advised the city’s residents to use bottled water or boil water first before drinking.
Amoebiasis can be prevented by boiling water for drinking, keeping surroundings clean, washing hands after using the toilet and before eating, and maintaining proper personal and food hygiene./PN
