NegOcc guv issues cholera alert

By Dolly Yasa

Bacolod City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson cautioned the public to be extra careful in their drinking water, especially from “doubtful sources.”

In a public health advisory, Lacson said “there has been an alarming increase of cholera cases in the province.”

He cited the report of the Negros Occidental Health Surveillance System as of October 25, 2022 indicating 17 confirmed cholera cases.

The governor pointed out that “until this year there had been zero cases since last detected in 2018.”

He also said that the recent and succeeding typhoons have caused flooding in several areas of the province which can lead to contamination of water sources.

“In view of this development, it is strongly recommended that drinking water sources of doubtful potability should be boiled and cooled before drinking.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Francisco Benitez (3rd district Negros Occ.) also called on the public to take public health concerns seriously amid the rising cases of cholera in their district, which already claimed two lives in Silay City and EB Magalona.

Benitez, who led the North Central Negros Interlocal Health Zone meeting on Wednesday in Talisay City, underscored the regular monitoring of all water refilling stations and restaurants in the district, and discouraged the use of unregistered jetmatic water pumps.

He stressed that it is safer for private establishments to connect with their local water districts that are compliant with sanitary standards.

Benitez also underscored the importance for LGUs to monitor open defecation and sewage treatment, along with the sanitary practices of establishments that handle food and beverages.

Of the 17 cholera cases in Negros Occidental, five each were logged in the cities of Silay and Talisay, as well as in EB Magalona, and one each in Victorias City and Calatrava.

A cholera outbreak has been declared in three EB Magalona barangays.