Diarrhea outbreak in Davao Occidental now under control


DAVAO CITY – The diarrhea outbreak in Jose Abad Santos town in Davao Occidental that claimed the life of a local resident, and sent dozens of others to the hospital, is now under the control.

The diarrhea outbreak in San Jose Abad Santos town in Davao Occidental that claimed the life of a local resident, and sent dozens of others to the hospital, is now under the control. (Photo courtesy of Davao Occidental / via Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
The diarrhea outbreak in San Jose Abad Santos town in Davao Occidental that claimed the life of a local resident, and sent dozens of others to the hospital, is now under the control. (Photo courtesy of Davao Occidental / via Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)

This was disclosed by Jose Abad Santos Mayor Jason John Joyce on Wednesday, January 6, after he reported that only 12 patients remain in the hospital, as of Tuesday morning.

Of these 12 patients, two were from ground zero of where the diarrhea outbreak was suspected to have started.

"Situation is under control. 12 patients remaining in the hospital. Only 2 are from ground zero," Joyce said.

On New Year’s Eve, 36 patients started to complain of diarrhea, and had to be taken to the district hospital.

By January 3, it was reported that one person had died, while 31 remained confined at the Tomas Lachica District Hospital. Four were discharged by then. All the victims were from Barangay Butuan.

The Department of Health (DOH) Davao Center for Health Development (DCHD) has yet to release the results of the assessment made by the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit’s (RESU) on the outbreak.

Municipal Health Officer Amparo Lachica previously told the DOH that the probable source of infection was contaminated water.