The clarification was made by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson Tuesday, October 18, despite the increase in the number of cholera cases in the province, particularly in the Third District.
“The concerned local government units (LGUs) are already aware of it and that the local chief executives are doing their best to address the situation,” Lacson stressed.
“We hope that there will be no more fatalities,” the governor added.
From September 26 up to October 17 this year, the province logged 12 confirmed cholera cases.
Of the number, two fatalities have been reported in Silay City and E.B. Magalona town.
On Monday, October 17, E.B. Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon declared an outbreak in three barangays namely Batea, 3 (Poblacion) and Tanza after four cholera cases were confirmed by their Municipal Health Office.
“We have two cases in Tanza where one patient died and one case each in Batea and 3 (Poblacion),” the mayor said.
The fatality was the municipality’s third case, a 37-year-old male from Hacienda Manalo 5 in Barangay Tanza.
He died of septic shock from infectious diarrhea and severe dehydration on October 11 a day after he was admitted at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH) in Silay City.
Earlier, Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego also declared an outbreak in Barangay Guinhalaran where the province’s first fatality resides.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang urged the LGUs with cholaera cases to continue closely monitoring water sources in their respective localities and also maintain cleanliness, especially on food, because cholera does not only come from unsafe drinking water but also in food.*