By Xander Ledesma
The Lapu-Lapu City Health Office (CHO) has reported no new cases of diarrhea a week after an outbreak in Sitio St. Vincent, Barangay Mactan, following water supply issues that affected several residents. Earlier in October, 25 residents, mostly children, suffered from vomiting and diarrhea, with eight hospitalized.
According to CHO head Agnes Realiza, all affected patients, including a one-year-old child, have been discharged, and preventive measures are now being implemented by the local water supplier to avoid future incidents. The outbreak was initially attributed to issues with the chlorinator at the water source, which was either damaged or moved, compromising water quality.
Sanitation inspections further revealed that some pipelines were buried in unsanitary drainage systems, contributing to contamination risks. In response, the water provider has installed a new chlorinator and replaced old water tanks. The CHO also recommended that households and the water supplier replace old and corroded pipes to prevent potential contamination from floodwaters.
The CHO continues to monitor the situation and conduct regular water testing, ensuring the community’s safety. However, efforts to get more updates from Mactan Barangay Captain Efren Aying have so far been unsuccessful.
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