CHO reiterates appeal for sanitation as one dies of diarrhea
City Health Office (CHO) chief Dr. Urminico Baronda reiterated his appeal among city residents to exercise precautionary measures to avoid water borne diseases. He made his appeal after a 21-year old woman died of diarrhea in Barangay Bolilao, Mandurriao.
Baronda said residents particularly the typhoon affected families should seek immediate medical help from the health centers in their respective district. The health centers can assist and accommodate them on their medical needs.
Baronda said the woman failed to seek medical help from the health centers or the hospital. The death could have been avoided had the woman sought medical help for her ailment, said Baronda.
He did not identify the woman and he clarified that the woman did not die in the evacuation site.
Diarrhea is commonly caused by viral infections, parasites or bacterial toxin. A person afflicted with diarrhea can recover in a few days when there is ample food and supply of clean water. For malnourished individuals diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration and could if without treatment could become life-threatening.
Bolilao is one of the flood-affected barangays in Mandurriao.
The CHO has assigned personnel in the different evacuation centers to monitor and assist in the health needs of the typhoon victims, said Baronda.
Acute diarrhea is one of the six illnesses being monitored by the health officials after Typhoon Frank caused flash floods in the city and other provinces in Western Visayas. The other diseases are acute respiratory illness, acute diarrhea, vomiting, acute dermatitis and acute conjunctivitis. Injuries such as abrasions, lacerations, hematoma and fractures are also being monitored.
Baronda said any person who feels ill should take initiative to go the health center. They would not know of their condition unless they see a physician.
Persons with injuries should go to the health centers to avail shots of tetanus toxoid or prophylaxis for leptospirosis, Baronda added.