By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) has issued a public advisory urging residents to ensure the safety of their water supply and maintain proper sanitation practices to prevent the spread of acute gastroenteritis (AGE).
CHO Medical Officer Dr. Jan Reygine Ansino-Hortinela issued the advisory following a rising trend in AGE cases over the past several morbidity weeks.
“With the increasing number of AGE cases, we strongly encourage the public to prioritize sanitation in their areas,” she said in a press conference on Thursday.
“It is crucial to ensure that the water used for cleaning utensils and bathing, especially for children, is safe and clean.”
Ansino-Hortinela noted that the CHO is conducting regular clean-up drives, sanitation inspections, and the chlorination of deep wells in barangays.
She also urged parents to seek early consultation for their children, especially infants, if they exhibit symptoms of AGE.
The CHO official emphasized that free consultations are available at health centers from Monday to Friday, along with provisions of free oral rehydration solutions and antibiotics.
Symptoms of AGE include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, cramping, fever, body aches, weakness, tiredness, headaches, and loss of appetite.
The infection can be acquired through contaminated food, drinks, or objects, and through person-to-person contact, such as coughing, sneezing, or shaking hands with someone who is sick.
Ansino-Hortinela added that while the situation is “not yet alarming,” the CHO is intensifying efforts in information dissemination to ensure it does not reach a critical level.
As of August 7, the city recorded 366 AGE cases, with nine fatalities and 353 recoveries. Four cases are currently either hospitalized or being treated as outpatients.
In the same period in 2023, the city logged 818 cases with seven deaths, which was lower compared to the 1,374 cases and 15 deaths recorded in 2022.
The district of Arevalo reported the highest number of cases with 103, followed by Molo with 64, Mandurriao with 40, Jaro II with 39, and Jaro I with 32.
Among the barangays, Calaparan had the highest number with 26 cases, followed by So-oc with 23, Calumpang with 12, Sto. Niño Sur with 9, and North Baluarte with 8 cases.
These barangays are the top priority areas for the delivery of the “Oplan Bulig Tubig sa Syudad” or the rationing of city-procured water, according to the CHO.
