Diarrhea outbreak in Cagayan feared

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela — Health officials said over the weekend that heavy rains and massive flooding in northern Luzon could trigger an outbreak of diarrhea, particularly in Isabela and Cagayan. Dr. Carlos Cortina, deputy chief of Cagayan provincial health department told GMANews.TV that their agency is on heightened alert because a diarrhea outbreak is possible after last week’s flooding. “The possibility is always there but personnel from our Rural Health Units (RHU) are well trained to do surveillance activities to prevent an outbreak. We are currently doing information campaign so that the community will be protected," he said. Cortina added that they have already augmented provisions to chlorinate water in some villages. However, he advised areas they cannot reach to boil drinking water and to avoid eating spoiled and leftover food. “It’s very important too to practice washing of hands before eating." On the other hand, anti-diarrhea medicines and potable water supply have been distributed by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) to evacuation centers. PDRRMC personnel said the massive flooding across the northern part of Cagayan Valley, caused by days of heavy downpour, has contaminated water supply. Reports indicated that eleven persons from Solana town in Cagayan have already been hospitalized due to symptoms associated with diarrhea after drinking contaminated water. – VVP, GMANews.TV