The Department of Health (DOH)—Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) on Tuesday reported an uptick in recorded cases of acute bloody diarrhea in various provinces of the region.
To avert a possible surge, DOH Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said that they are currently monitoring the increase in the number of cases in the province of Quezon and Rizal.
Janairo said that 19 were recorded in Quezon and 13 in Rizal.
“The regional office is continuing its disease surveillance and is directly in contact with the local health officials in the provinces,” Janairo said.
The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit has recorded a total of 44 acute bloody diarrhea cases from January 1 to May 15, 2021.
Age of cases ranged from one-year-old to 57 years old. Majority of the cases were female with 23 (52 percent) and most of the cases belonged to 1–10-year-old age group.
The province with the highest cases of acute bloody diarrhea was recorded in Quezon with 19 followed by Rizal with 13; Laguna with 8 and Cavite with 4.
Janairo warned that diarrhea should not be ignored, saying the ailment may result to death.
Diarrhea has been noted to be common during the dry season. A person suffering with an acute bloody diarrhea experiences abdominal pain, dehydration and having watery stool.
Janairo said that bloody diarrhea is caused by Escherichia coli that can be found on food and in the environment.
“It is very important that we wash our hands before and after eating and make sure that the water you drink is clean ,” Janairo said.