THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday reported close to 4,000 cases of cholera in the country from January 1 to October 8, a 270% increase compared to the cases reported during the same period in 2021.
According to the latest National Cholera Surveillance Data, there were 3,980 cholera cases reported during the past months, with most cases found in Eastern Visayas with 2,678 (67%); Davao Region with 441 (11%); and Caraga with 289 (7%).
There was likewise noticeable increase in cases in the recent three to four weeks (September 11 to 24) compared to two weeks prior (August 28 to September 10) in Pampanga, Catanduanes, Masbate, Bacolod City, and Negros Occidental.
The DOH said there were 37 deaths reported this year for a case fatality rate of 1 percent.
In an online media forum, DOH – Epidemiology Bureau Director Dr. Alethea de Guzman said the high number of cholera cases can be attributed to unsafe water sources.
“We still have areas where the water source is deep well or river. These are actually the environmental factors that increase the risk for us getting these water-borne diseases,” said De Guzman.
Add to this, she said, is the failure of Filipinos to regularly boil or disinfect their drinking water.
“We are not used to boiling water or use aqua tabs to disinfect our water. It is a personal behavior of making sure that your water source is safe,” she added.
