Health authorities in Tanay, Rizal said the number of diarrhea cases in the community of Dumagat Remontado in Barangay Sta. Ines, an upland village in the municipality, has already declined.
Dr. Amor Rivera, municipal health office chief, told Manila Bulletin that the number has dropped to an average of one case per day from more than 50 cases in the past two weeks since the ailment hit the natives in Sitio Nayon, Barangay Sta. Ines.
A few days after the diarrhea cases were detected, Mayor Rafael Tanjuatco sent a medical team to the upland village to investigate and provide immediate intervention, including the dissemination of information on proper hygiene.
Initial investigation conducted by health authorities revealed that the water the tribe members get from the streams was contaminated with bacteria from feces.
The surge in cases came a few days following the onslaught of Typhoon Karding in the province.
As of Oct. 11, only one Dumagat Remontado native was confined in the hospital for treatment, according to Dr. Rivera.
Water disinfection and purifying tablets, oral rehydration solutions and other medicines, food packs and purified water were distributed to the community when the local officials led by Mayor Tanjuatco, together with the town’s medical team, trooped to the village.
Dr. Rivera said the municipal health personnel were deployed to the affected area and stayed there for one week to monitor the condition of those under home treatment.
A hydration clinic was also set up at the community health center.
Treatment of diarrhea lasts up to one week, according to Dr. Rivera.
Majority of the cases recorded since the last week of September have already been treated.