DAVAO CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) in Davao region will be sending a team from its Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) to collect specimens and investigate a reported diarrhea outbreak in the town of Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental that claimed the life of a 62-year-old man, and sent dozens to the hospital.

This developed as four victims were already discharged by 3:55 Sunday afternoon, while 31 others remained confined at the Tomas Lachica District Hospital, according to Jose Abad Santos Mayor Jason John Joyce. The victims were all from Barangay Butuan where the outbreak began on Thursday, December 31.

Barangay Butuan resident Emilio Sumanday, who was from Sitio Malwayog, was reported to have died on Saturday, January 2.

Meanwhile, the DOH reported that it has already sent medicines and intravenous fluids to the district hospital.

"Jerry cans for water storage and chlorine granules were also provided to the affected barangay. A team is closely coordinating with the Local Government Unit for any additional assistance needed," it said.

The DOH also reminded the public of "the importance of safe-drinking water, and that the use of improved sanitation and hand washing with soap can reduce the risk of diarrhea".

"If anyone is experiencing three or more loose or liquid stools per day, this must be reported immediately to the nearest facility for immediate health interventions," it said.

The patients admitted at the district hospital included 23 male patients and eight female patients. Seventeen of the patients were aged 14 and below, while 13 patients were aged 15 to 59 years old. 

Joyce added that "at the barangay level, 36 patients are line listed and given oresol, medicines and a 6-year-old child is on IVF."

The DOH Davao Center for Health Development (DCHD), in a statement, said the possible source of infection reported by the Municipal Health Officer could have been contaminated water.

The DOH also reminded the public of "the importance of safe-drinking water, use of improved sanitation and hand washing with soap can reduce the risk of diarrhea."

"If anyone is experiencing three or more loose or liquid stools per day, this must be reported immediately to the nearest facility for immediate health interventions," it said.

Joyce earlier assured the victims and their families that the municipal government unit of Jose Abad Santos will shoulder the expenses of the transportation from the village to the hospitals in Glan, Sarangani, Malita, General Santos, Digos City and Davao City.

“May on stand-by vehicle na po tayo na pinabyahe from Poblacion to Brgy. Butuan for emergency transportation. Ang Butuan po ay nasa 1.5 hours away (sa) pinakamalapit na hospital (We have a standby vehicle which traveled from Poblacion to Barangay Butuan for emergency transportation. Butuan is 1.5 hours away from the nearest hospital),” he said.

He said they will also shoulder the medicine expenses that will not be available at the district hospital. He said those who will be referred to other hospitals will still be assisted.