BACOLOD City – A public well in Purok Luhod-luhod, Barangay Mandalagan in this city was closed after a positive test for cholera-causing Vibrio cholerae bacteria.
The closure was ordered by the City Health Office (CHO).
“With the help of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), this city, through the CHO, is conducting a regular laboratory test on water samples from all the barangays here to prevent cholera,” the city’s Public Information Office (PIO) stated.
Chlorination is also being conducted in all artesian wells in 61 barangays here, the PIO said.
As of Nov. 5, CHO records showed 15 confirmed cases of cholera with zero deaths in the city.
Meanwhile, there were 239 acute gastroenteritis cases with 10 deaths.
The CHO also reminds the public to practice “WASH” (water, sanitation, and hygiene) in order to avoid food- and water-borne diseases.
The public is also advised by the authorities of the following:
* use safe and potable water for drinking and domestic use;
* ask assistance from your barangay for the chlorination of the community water source;
* observe and practice sanitation at all times through proper waste disposal;
* encourage and promote zero open defecation (ZOD);
* exercise and make hygiene a habit – wash hands before preparing and as often while food, before and after eating, after changing diapers or caring for the sick or pets; and
* wash veggies and fruits well, cook food thoroughly, avoid contact of raw foods with cooked ones.
Seek early treatment if bowel movements occur more than three times a day, especially with vomiting, the CHO emphasized./PN
