MATI CITY, Davao Oriental (MindaNews / 27 October) — Thirty-nine residents of Manay town have been diagnosed with acute watery diarrhea cases, the Provincial Information Office (PIO) reported Sunday, October 26. Provincial health officer Dr. Reden V. Bersaldo stated that one possible cause is residents drinking water from compromised sources. However, there have been no severe cases recorded, with mild cases treated at home and moderate cases admitted at the Manay Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital (Manay DOPH). Bersaldo clarified that although water shortages occurred after the twin earthquakes, supply was quickly restored through immediate deployment to affected barangays in Manay and Tarragona. Data from PIO showed that from October 13 to 24, Brgy. Cawayan had 11 cases, Brgy. Central had 9, Brgy. Zaragoza had 6, Brgy. San Isidro had 4, Brgy. Guza had 3, Brgy. Old Macopa had 2, and Brgys. Lambog, Rizal, San Fermin, and San Ignacio each had one case. The recent tally increased by seven from last week’s 32 cases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), acute watery diarrhea, which includes cholera, lasts several hours or days and is a leading cause of death in children aged 1-59 months. Symptoms include watery stools three or more times daily, excessive thirst, and sunken eyeballs or fontanel in infants. Bersaldo emphasized that the source of the contaminated water is still being investigated, with testing and treatment of water sources underway. Barangay-level surveillance has been implemented to monitor cases. The DOH Davao Region advised the public to drink only from safe sources, boil water for three minutes if unsure, consume well-cooked food, keep food covered, wash fruits and vegetables, use toilets, and practice hand hygiene before eating and after using the toilet. (Razl EJ Teman/MindaNews)
