The provincial government of Negros Occidental has no plans to declare a provincewide Cholera outbreak despite of 12 confirmed cases and 2 deaths.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson explained that cases of the water-borne disease are only concentrated in the 3rd District of Negros Occidental and all concerned local government units are doing their best to manage the situation.
Lacson stressed that the focus of the government is on controlling the situation and in ensuring that water supply from various refilling stations are safe.
Based on the data released by the Provincial Health Office, five confirmed cholera cases with one death were recorded in Silay City, four cases with one death in EB Magalona town, Talisay City with two cases and one for Victorias City.
According to a factsheet of the World Health Organization, Cholera is an extremely virulent disease that can cause severe acute watery diarrhoea. It takes between 12 hours and 5 days for a person to show symptoms after ingesting contaminated food or water. This can affects both children and adults and can kill within hours if untreated.
Among people who develop symptoms, the majority have mild or moderate symptoms, while a minority develop acute watery diarrhoea with severe dehydration, it said and can lead to death if left untreated.
