Danao, DOH 7 to continue probe on diarrhea outbreak

LGU’s meet with ambulant vendors around Mitsumi compound to discuss measures to prepare safer food, prevent outbreak s

DANAO City Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III and Dr. Renan Cimafranca of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Resu 7) of the Department of Health (DOH) met yesterday to continue to address the causes of the outbreak that affected some 271 employees of Cebu Mitsumi Inc. last Feb. 7.

Durano and Cimafranca want to find ways to prevent a similar outbreak.

In their meeting, it was pointed out that the outbreak was water-borne and that fecal contamination was likely the cause. They agreed to immediately ensure quality of water sources in the city and the treatment of contaminated water.

Durano said they agreed to beef up the facilities of the city with the continued and adequate supply of chlorine and for the use of a chlorine tester. The existence of a good chlorinator of the city’s waterworks easily addressed the situation.

As urgent measure, Danao City Councilor Cynthia Duterte, a doctor of medicine, asked that the 25-meter radius of the water pump stations be cleared from occupants and structures as an additional measure to ensure water safety and to avoid future fecal contamination.

Durano ordered the removal of any private property near the city’s waterworks.

“The situation is now under control,” Durano said.

Monitoring

The Danao City Government has been closely monitoring the vendors’ compliance of health certificates and sanitary permits outside the Cebu Mitsumi Inc. in Barangay Sabang.

The Local Government Units (LGUs) held a forum yesterday with all Mitsumi ambulant vendors at Sabang Basketball Court yesterday to discuss with them the needed precaution for the maintenance of public health and prevent another outbreak.

City Health Officer Dr. Publio Piedad Jr. said the operation of the vendors, which involves selling “sago’t gulaman” drink and uncooked food to Mitsumi employees, will be temporarily suspended.

Durano said they are now strictly prohibiting ambulant vendors without sanitary permits while health certificates were discussed with them along with proper food handling.

Vendors

The sanitary section of the City Health Department will intensify its monitoring on all ambulant vendors to ensure compliance with the requirements.

Sabang barangay tanods are regularly deployed in the vicinity of Cebu Mitsumi to regulate the presence of ambulant vendors.

The City Government warned the vendors that they will be penalized if they still would operate but fail to comply health certificate and sanitary permit requirements.