DOH-8 intensifies campaign against diarrheal diseases in Eastern Visayas

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 4, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  As the region braces for more rains brought about by the LPA in Mindanao, the Department of Health in Eastern Visayas is set to conduct monitoring of diarrheal cases in the Region and to intensify information campaign against the disease.

Mr. Boyd Cerro, sentinel nurse of the Department of Health Region 8 informed the Philippine Information Agency that with rains prevailing in the Region, the sources of water are prone to be contaminated and might result to diarrheal diseases outbreak.

Mr. Cerro disclosed that on January 5, together with Dr. Edgardo Daya of the Leyte Provincial Health Office, will go to Calubian, Leyte, particularly at the Nortwestern Leyte District Hospital, where cases of diarrheal diseases have been observed.

Dr. Daya who received the report from the District Hospital Director Dr. Felicidad D. Sales, suggested to Mr. Cerro for a joint fact-finding and monitoring team to visit Calubian.

Since before Christmas, about 67 diarrheal cases have been recorded at the Northwestern Leyte District Hospital based in the municipality of Calubian, Dr. Adelfa Jaboco, Calubian Municipal Health Officer told the Philippine Information Agency.

Dr. Jaboco was quick to add that not all the 67 cases are from Calubian, but from the nearby municipalities of Leyte, Tabango and San Isidro. In fact the first case was from the municipality of Leyte.

Of the 67 cases, less than five patients mostly of the younger group died because when they were brought to the hospital, they were already severely dehydrated, Dr. Jacobo informed.

Dr. Jaboco said that the local health office has already advised the people on the necessary precautionary measure they could do and has already conducted water treatment.

She said the situation is under control. In fact, as of press time, only three diarrheal patients are confined at the district hospital and they are on the way to recovery and will go home anytime, Dr. Jaboco said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Daya and Mr. Cerro both encouraged proper sanitation, boiling of drinking water, proper food handling as the best prevention against diarrheal diseases.

Diarrheal Disease is a major cause of mortality in the Philippines. Over the past 20 years, it has ranked 1st to 4th leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Among children under the age of five, it is a major cause of illness and death.

Diarrheal disease in general and in particular among children under five is a serious public health and development problem. In view of this, the DOH launched a national program to control diarrheal disease (CDD) in 1980.

To reduce mortality from diarrhea particularly among children under five through extensive case management utilizing oral rehydration therapy (ORT), environmental sanitation, maternal and child health, nutrition and health education activities.

In fact, the Department of Health (DOH) is set to conduct a nationwide vaccination this year against rotavirus, which causes severe diarrhea among young children, making the Philippines the leader for other Asian countries in lowering infant mortality from the preventable ailment.