San Carlos City in Negros under state of health emergency due to surge in amoebiasis cases


BACOLOD CITY – San Carlos City in Negros Occidental was placed under a state of health emergency on Wednesday, Feb. 22, due to the increasing amoebiasis cases.

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MAYOR  Renato Gustilo visits the San Carlos City Hospital in Negros Occidental on Tuesday, Feb. 21, to check the situation of patients diagnosed with amoebiasis. (Photo courtesy of Creative Team via San Carlos LGU)

Mayor Renato Gustilo issued an executive order declaring a state of health emergency and directed all barangay chairmen to coordinate with their barangay health workers to conduct ‘‘recorida’’ or information dissemination for public awareness and preventive measures.

The city chief executive urged the public to boil their drinking water, keep surroundings clean, and maintain proper hygiene.

The EO said that amoebiasis can be contracted by ingesting infective cysts through water or food contaminated with infected feces and by eating with hands without proper washing.

Gustilo said that he visited the city hospital on Feb. 21 to check on patients confined for amoebiasis and guarantee the responsiveness of the hospital.

“Right now, the overall health of San Carloseños is my top priority,” he added.