BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson ordered the Provincial Health Office (PHO) to closely monitor water refilling stations amid concerns over cholera and other water-borne illnesses.
In an interview yesterday morning, Lacson affirmed the earlier statement made by PHO head, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, that there are no cholera cases in the province, except for one reported in Bacolod City on Sunday.
“We have no report as far as the province is concerned based on the information I gathered from the Provincial Health Office. If that happens, we will have to address it,” Lacson said.
The governor 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.
Earlier this week, Tumimbang said there are no cholera cases in the province, although there are reports of cases of gastrointestinal illnesses.
According to Tumimbang, the province records cases of typhoid — another water-borne disease similar to cholera — once in a while but these are sporadic.
He also confirmed cases of diarrhea and minor gastrointestinal issues such as indigestion, and these resolved on their own.
The PHO head said it is the responsibility of municipal or city health offices, through their respective sanitation divisions, to check water supplies and where they originate, such as water refilling stations, deep wells and open wells./PN
