BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – A grandmother from Silay City, Negros Occidental died after testing positive for cholera, prompting Mayor Joedith Gallego to declare an outbreak in the city’s Barangay Guinhalaran yesterday morning.
In a phone patch interview with members of the local media, Gallego said the patient was 88 years old. He noted that the patient had a different cause of death on her death certificate.
However, a laboratory test performed at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, where the patient was confined, showed her with cholera.
After learning about the laboratory test result, Gallego immediately ordered the Silay City Health Office to check all of the water refilling stations as well as other water sources in the city, particularly in Barangay Guinhalaran where the patient resided.
The mayor said there is also a suspected cholera case in Barangay Lantad, although the patient was reported to be recovering already.
“Subong mapa-rekorida kami gani, nga dapat ang ila gina-inom tinlu, tapos before magkaon dapat makapanghugas anay sang kamot, limpyo bala nga ginawi,” Gallego said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he hasn’t yet received information regarding the cholera case in Silay City and he is still waiting for the report from the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
However, he reiterated his earlier call for all of the province’s water refilling stations and wells to be monitored.
Last week, Lacson reminded Negrenses to be cautious with their source of water and advised them to boil it first if they are unsure.
“This usually happens when it rains, if there’s flood. We should always be vigilant,” he said.
PHO head Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, meanwhile, said it is the responsibility of municipal or city health offices, through their respective sanitation divisions, to check water supplies and where they originate./PN
