ILOILO – A four-year-old girl from Tigbauan town is the first acute gastroenteritis (AGE) fatality in the province this year.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, chief of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), confirmed that the child died while being treated in a hospital on Sept. 13.
Based on IPHO’s initial investigation, the family sought the help of a private physician on Sept. 11 because the child was vomiting and had loose bowel movement. They were advised to take the child to the hospital.
The parents did the following day. The child was given IV fluids until her condition improved and enough to be discharged.
However, on Sept. 13, the child fell ill again. She was brought back to the hospital where she eventually died.
The IPHO is still looking into what the child consumed, as well as the source of their water. Only the child became ill with AGE; her other family members did not.
Based on IPHO data, out of 16 AGE cases in Tigbauan, the four-year-old was a lone case in their barangay.
Meanwhile, from Jan. 1 to Sept. 21, 2022, a total of 65 AGE cases were recorded in Iloilo province – 17 active, 47 recovered and one death.
Here is the breakdown of the 65 AGE cases per age group:
* less than one year old – five cases
* one to 10 years old – 23 cases
* 11 to 20 years old – 13 cases
* 21 to 30 years old – seven cases
* 31 to 40 years old – eight cases
* 41 years old and above – nine cases
The breakdown of 65 cases per town: Anilao (five), Barotac Nuevo (10), Dingle (one), Janiuay (one), Leganes (five), New Lucena (one), Oton (nine), Pavia (four), Pototan (two), San Dionisio (one), Santa Barbara (seven), San Miguel (one), Zarraga (one), and Tigbauan (16).
Quiñon again urged the public to be careful when buying or handling food and water.
Make sure that the water potability test results of the refilling stations are updated, she added.
Concerned local government units (LGUs) and their municipal health offices (MHOs) should conduct a potability test on refilling stations every month, the IPHO head reminded.
To add, ensure the cleanliness of the food prepared. Wash the ingredients and utensils thoroughly and cook the food well.
Also, check whether the drinks or food from street or ambulant vendors are safe.
Once stomach ache is felt, vomiting or even headache for kids, immediately seek help from concerned MHOs or nearest health facilities to receive medication and proper treatment.
For the provincial government’s part, Quiñon said they are distributing water testing kits and chorine to AGE-affected municipalities.
In particular, the provincial government purchased Chromogenic substrate (Colitag) for water testing and Troclosene sodium (Aquatabs) for disinfection of water sources.
“We have purchased Colilert, a water testing kit to detect coliform and E. coli for distribution once the supplier delivers. The chlorine granules for disinfection are already for post qualification,” Quiñon said.
The IPHO also continues to conduct stringent advocacy campaigns and information dissemination on AGE prevention and control./PN
