Diarrhea cases up in Pangasinan; residents warned vs. swimming in dirty water

After registering several diarrhea cases this month, health authorities in Pangasinan cautioned residents against swimming in polluted water.

The Pangasinan Provincial Hospital said that as of April 23, it has registered at least 17 diarrhea cases for this month, GMA Dagupan reported Friday.



Of these, seven had afflicted children aged eight months to two years.

One of the patients is a two-year-old child who had been confined at the PPH for vomiting and diarrhea.

"Nagsusuka ng bulate, kasi lagi siayng naglalaro ng madumi. Pagbabawalan mo, hilig naman ng mga bata ang maglaro," the child's mother Jamil Jubis said.

Another mother, ALing Imelda, said her child had been suffering from loose bowel movement.

The GMA Dagupan report noted many diarrhea cases had been traced to eating improperly prepared food and drinking dirty water.

"If there are signs and symptoms (of) dehydration, bring the patient to a nearby clinic or hospital," said PPH chief of clinics Dr. Karlo Orduña.

Dengue

Meanwhile, in Dagupan City, the city health office reminded residents to take precautions against the all-year-round dengue threat.

The CHO has recorded 26 cases of dengue in the first quarter of this year, fewer than the 55 recorded in the same period last year.

"Expected pa rin itong summer na mababa ang cases, huwag tayong maging complacent. Naroon pa rin yung ating search and destroy, huwag tayong mag-iiwan ng water sa mga flower vases, regular din ang paglilinis," said city health officer Dr. Leonard Carbonel. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News