NEC notes, dirty water causes Loon outbreak

CONTRARY to the myths circulated explaining the cause of the diarrhea that affected some 408 residents here, the outbreak in Loon is caused by contaminated water, says a team from the National Epidemiology Center (NEC). In an Outbreak Investigation Report submitted January 28, to Loon Mayor Cesar Tomas Lopez and Municipal Health Officer Dr. Tito Miranda, the NEC team composed of doctors Edwin Mayor, Eleanor Repatacoda and Joy Althea Pabellon said they found out that the town's water sources may have been affected by the continuous rains, which hit three consecutive weeks in December and January.

In addition to that, the ongoing road widening project and construction of the national road damaged some Loon Waterworks System (LWS) pipes imbedded along the road. “Temporary pipes were put in place which were exposed to possible contamination. It is possible that during replacement of the damaged pipes, rain water seeped through the system,” the report bared. The team then noted that about 70% of those affected get their drinking water from LWS. A bacteriological analysis conducted in October from two pumping stations in Biasong and Pananquilon also showed positive fecal coliform [contamination] the report said.

In their environmental investigation to verify the existence of the outbreak and determine the source and mode of transmission of the organism, the team noted that LWS sources its water from Biasong, Agsoso and Bagacay Cawayan, which interconnects their pumping stations. At this, chlorinators in the sources are reportedly manually operated and have no clear calibration. Furthermore, the team theorized that the water, which supplies 60% of the households in 40 barangays are not protected. “Continuous rainfall affected the water sources and damaged pipes during road construction may have aggravated the situation, …while water reaching the household is inadequately chlorinated,” the report read during the exit conference at the Loon Municipal Hall last Friday said. It may be recalled that the sudden upsurge of diarrhea cases in Loon alarmed health authorities when from December 25 last year to last week, some 5 persons have died, though some may have succumbed after getting complications.

Text messages sent to media last week also detailed that local health authorities only gave immunizing agents against Shigella flexneri pathogen, a fact that soon told them why the disease could not be stopped. From that, the realized a month after that they have to give another more expensive medicine sourced out from Manila. Sounding the alarm, the Manila team sent by the Department of Health said it may also be possible for the disease to be spread to adjacent towns if intensive preventive and control measures are not undertaken. With this, the NEC recommended for LWS to repair and rehabilitate existing water sources, put in a chlorinator and protect areas around water sources while coordinate for regular water sampling and bacteriological analysis.

At this, the team also recommended for the local authorities to immediately do massive information education and communication campaigns, continue active surveillance and monitor quality of drinking water. While asking local authorities to protect their water sources from contamination, NEC team also called for the people to chlorinate and boil water for at least 10-15 minutes at home, ensure proper food handling, preparation and processing are safe. finally, the team recommended to Loon officials to ensure proper waste disposal in households and in the hospital.

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