The diarrhea outbreak in the municipality of Jose Abad Santos (JAS) in Davao Occidental province is now under control, the Provincial Health Office assured. “The 35 patients who were brought to Lachica Hospital in Jose Abad Santos are now in stable condition and anytime soon they will be discharged,” according to a report from Davao Occidental Provincial Health Officer Dr. Anne Margaux Quezada.
The Davao Occidental Provincial Health Office organized a team and went in Barangay Butuan in Jose Abad Santos in the morning of January 3 (Sunday) following a report from a concerned citizen at 10pm of January 2 (Saturday). The Provincial Disaster Risk and Rescue Management Office (PDRRMO) headed by Harry Camorro, upon arrival in the area, directly assisted the patients to the hospital.
JAS Mayor Jason John Joyce announced on January 3 a diarrhea outbreak in Barangay Butuan which resulted to the hospitalization of 33 residents and to the death of a 62-year old male resident identified as Emilio Sumanday from Sitio Malwayog who died on January 2, 2021.
The diarrheal cases were also confirmed by the Department of Health in the region which looked at contaminated water as the probable source of infection as revealed in the initial investigation and assessment of the Municipal Health Office of Jose Abad Santos.
“Wala pong reported na casualty for the entire day of January 3, 2021. We are hoping na mas maraming pasyente po ang gagaling today (There was no reported casualty for the entire day of January 3, 2020. We are hoping that there are more patients who will recover today,” Mayor Joyce stated on his Facebook post early morning of January 4.
Mayor Joyce has reported that the patients were admitted on December 31, 2020 at Tomas Lachica District Hospital (TLDH) located at the poblacion of JAS which is almost two hours from the affected barangay. He said that most of the patients are male (23), while there are eight (8) female. There are 17 patients under the age 0-14 years old and 13 patients are 15-59 years old.
He added that at the barangay level, there are 36 patients who are listed and given oresol and medicines, while a six-year old child is on IVF. The Mayor bared that the local government has immediately acted on the emergency when the outbreak was reported on Saturday (January 2). The LGU has prepared dextrose and medicines, and rescue vehicles are also on standby. He assured that the affected barangay residents have been taken care of, and that the hospitalization costs of those confined at the district hospital will be shouldered by the municipal LGU.
Davao Occidental PHO head Dr. Anne Margaux Quezada together with the team from the Provincial Disaster Risk and Rescue Management Office (PDRRMO), has also immediately conducted stool examinations and the initial findings confirmed of Amoebiasis among the patients.
“Rest assured that the Provincial Government is in full control of the situation. We all have the medical supplies (dextrose, medicines and other essentials) necessary, likewise, we are thankful for your continuous support and prayers for Davao Occidental,” the PHO stated.
Immediately after learning of the outbreak, several private establishments, civic organizations and different government offices poured in assistance to the patients and to Barangay Butuan. Among those that extended assistance was DOH-XI which provided essential commodities such as medicines and intravenous fluids to TLDH and Jerry cans for water storage and chlorine granules to the affected barangay. Mayor Joyce also acknowledged the help from Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa and Davao City First District Representative Paolo Z. Duterte.
Meanwhile, the DOH-XI has reiterated the importance of safe-drinking water, use of improved sanitation and hand washing with soap which can reduce the risk of diarrhea and other infections. It further advised that if anyone is experiencing three or more loose or liquid stools per day, this must be reported immediately to the nearest facility for immediate health interventions.
