2 children died of Cholera: no outbreak among IDPs in Iligan City, says health department

Photo credit: Shaun Uy/DSWD-10

THE Department of Health (DOH) in Northern Mindanao confirmed reports that two children died of Cholera, but denied cholera outbreak struck among internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are staying in evacuation centers or with relatives (home-based) in Iligan City.
The fear of an outbreak occurred when two confirmed cases of cholera was reported on May 30 and June 2 that affected a one-year old and a six-year old children, respectively. The first kid was staying in Sta. Elena evacuation center (EC) while the latter is home-based.



The DOH reported that both victims experienced diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. They had undergone rectal swab testing and found positive of vibrio cholera ogawa, the bacteria that causes cholera.

The victims were immediately admitted to Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital for treatment and discharged on June 3 and 5, respectively.

DOH-X Regional Director Nimfa Torrizo disclosed that upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and skin diseases remain the main medical concern among IDPs. The other top leading causes of consultations in all evacuation centers are acute respiratory infection, hypertension, and acute watery diarrhea which may be attributed to poor hygiene practices and congestion in the ECs.

To respond to this, the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) cluster is conducting water testing and monitors portalets, proper garbage disposal, and functional drainage system in ECs.

Torrizo said medical teams from DOH Mindanao Regional Offices were also tapped to augment the health response operation.

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial also ordered house to house visits in coordination with barangay captains to reach-out to home-based IDPs and provide them health services and possible hospital referrals. (APB/PIA-10/RVP)