In a statement, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday six of the 38 diarrhea cases in Barangay Upper Lumutan, General Nakar died of dehydration from Sept. 26 to Oct. 6.
“We [DOH] are saddened by what happened to our Dumagat natives where many have lost their lives because they were not immediately diagnosed and taken to our primary health care facility,” said Health Calabarzon Regional Director Ariel Valencia in a statement.
“We are working closely with IPHO (integrated provincial health office) through our RESU (regional epidemiology service unit) to provide the necessary assistance in the affected barangay,” he said.
According to DOH, the provincial epidemiology and surveillance unit (PESU) received the first fatality report caused by severe dehydration on Sept. 26.
Local health authorities reached out to the affected area on Oct. 1 and were informed of five more deaths due to dehydration.
“The first death had watery stools, abdominal pain, and vomiting and was brought to RHU (regional health unit) Tanay but was already declared dead on arrival. The same symptoms were observed in the five other patients from Brgy. Lumutan, Gen. Nakar in the previous consultation in RHU Tanay” said regional epidemiology and surveillance unit head John Bobbie Roca in a statement.
“Among the signs and symptoms observed in patients were fever, abdominal pain, watery stool, and joint pain, and some had coughs and colds,” he added.
The PESU already conducted a rapid case investigation, the DOH said.
“Based on the initial findings, diarrhea cases are due to amoebiasis. DOH-Calabarzon is still awaiting for the laboratory findings,” it said.
Diarrhea is a loose and water bowel movement. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or weight loss. It may be acquired from contaminated food or water, or through virus.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 10) – Health officials are looking into the cause of diarrhea cases among the Dumagat tribe in Quezon province, including a number of deaths.
