Over 100 gastroenteritis, diarrhea cases reported in Central Visayas, Caraga —DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said it has received reports of more than 100 cases of acute gastroenteritis and diarrhea in Central Visayas and the Caraga Region, which were recently affected by Typhoon Odette.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said DOH regional offices reported 80 acute gastroenteritis in Dinagat Islands, while 16 diarrhea cases were recorded in Cebu and 54 in the Siargao District Hospital.

“Cases in Caraga were admitted to hospitals while [the] report from Cebu is currently being validated by our regional epidemiology and surveillance units,” Vergeire said in a media briefing.

Vergeire said the agency is still looking into the cause of the gastroenteritis after the areas experienced water service interruptions due to Odette.

“‘Yung iba may tubig na dumadaloy pero nasira yung pipes nila doon sa pinagkakabitan. May possible na kontaminasyon dahil nasira or nag-break yung pipes nila underground,” she said.

“So ‘yan po ‘yung tinitignan natin. Nagpadala na po tayo ng mga epidemiology teams natin dito sa mga lugar na ito para makita natin ‘yung talagang source o sanhi ng kanilang pagkakaroon ng gastroenteritis,” she added.

(Others have water service but their pipes were damaged. There is a possibility of contamination because of those damaged underground pipes. That's what we are looking at. We have already deployed epidemiology teams to those areas to determine the source or cause of gastroenteritis.)

Meanwhile, Vergeire said Odette left 141 damaged healthcare facilities in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas,  Eastern Visayas, and Caraga regions, with an estimated cost of damage pegged at over P190 million.

According to Vergeire, the DOH and its centers for health development have mobilized P22 million worth of medicines, vitamins, family food packs, and hygiene kits, water containers, and other commodities to the typhoon-affected communities. —KBK, GMA News