NO END IN SIGHT YET: Gastroenteritis cases persist despite containment efforts; deaths stand at 13

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases persist in Iloilo City despite containment efforts.

On Sept 22, 2022, the Iloilo City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (ICESU) logged 21 new cases, bringing the total AGE cases to 684.

Based on data from July 26 to September 21, the most number of reported AGE cases happened on August 30 with 102 cases.

On Sept 1 and 2, AGE cases were at 55 and 51, respectively.

But recent figures indicated an erratic pattern in recent days.

There were 26 cases on Sept 15, two on Sept 16, one on Sept 17, and 11 on Sept 18.

On Sept 19, the city logged 19 more cases and 26 the following day.

Of the 684 cases, 624 have already recovered while 13 died.

Forty-six cases are deemed active with 34 admitted to hospitals while 12 are recuperating at home.

Barangay San Juan in Molo district and Barangay Sto. Niño Sur in Arevalo have the most number of recorded AGE cases at 28 each.

In a special session on Sept 2, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Iloilo City declared a state of calamity due to the outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and cholera diseases.

The declaration enabled the release of P12.5 million in quick response fund (QRF) to be used for the three-month operation of the city government.

Bulk of the fund will be utilized in hiring additional medical personnel (P5 million).

Further, P3 million is allotted for procurement of medical supplies, another P3 million for medicines, P500,000 for fuel, and P1 million for other maintenance and operating expenses or MOOE.

At that time, Iloilo City recorded 284 AGE cases in 77 of the metro’s 180 barangays.

The Iloilo City Health Office cited contaminated water sources and damaged pipelines as probable reasons for the cases.

The city government has earlier closed several water refilling stations.

Based on CHO records, there are 252 water refilling stations that operate in the metropolis.