CHOLERA OUTBREAK REPORT IN PUROK 2, BRGY. BAKHAW, STA. TERESA
INTRODUCTION
The study aims to discuss about the incident of Cholera outbreak in Purok 2, Brgy
Bakhaw, Sta. Teresa according to the information provided. The Regional Health
Assessment and Surveillance Agency or RHASA has received a report from the
Disease Surveillance Officer of San Miguel Medical Center about a seven-year-old male
individual from Purok 2, Barangay Bakhaw, Sta. Teresa that has been admitted to their
facility showing moderate to severe signs of dehydration because of passage of profuse
or also known as rice watery stool. Two teams of RHASA conducted an investigation
the next day.
WHAT IS CHOLERA?
Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease caused by an infection of the intestine along with
Vibrio Cholerae bacteria. People could get this disease by ingesting food and water
containing cholera bacteria. Symptoms of Cholera involves watery stool, vomiting, and
dehydration which puts one's life at risk.
Cholera are mainly transmitted through
contaminated food and water that's why this disease is common to people suffering
poverty and lives in untidy environment. Absence of sanitation is one also of the main
reason why risks of cholera increases and the most vulnerable of this are children. Oral
hydration solution is the primary treatment for cholera. And the only way to prevent the
illness is to properly clean the food and water before ingesting it, and to have proper
sanitation. There are an estimated of 1.3 to 4 million cases of cholera each year, and
21, 000 to 143, 000 patients dies from cholera. Cholera are common on the places in
central Asia and eastern Africa, specifically in the countries of Bangladesh, Pakistan,
Malawi, Mozambiqui and Syria.
METHODOLOGY
The team subjected the stool sample gathered in the admission of the patient to the
Cholera Rapid Test as well as his sibling that has been diagnosed with diarrhea. They
also conducted an interview with the patient's mother for more information regarding
with the patients. In addition to that, an ocular inspection was conducted on the Rural
Health Unit of Sta. Teresa to gather more information.
FINDINGS
Since January 15, 2022 until the time of visit, fifteen (15) cases of diarrhea were
reported to the RHU of Sta. Teresa:
1. Seven patients (47%) were admitted to San Miguel Regional Medical Center.
- Four patients were tested with RT-CPR and turned out positive. Because of
this, it is logical to conclude that there is a co-infection between cholera and COVID-19.
2. One patient died (making it 7% Case Fatality Rate)
Stool samples from the admitted patients tested positive for cholera.
CAUSES OF THE OUTBREAK

Lack of Environmental Sanitation. The patients tested with positive for cholera
finds absence of clean sanitary toilets. Additionally, the pile of trash present near
the water source concludes lacking of sanitation.

Contamination of the Water Source. One water source was reported to have
been closed due to the presence of coliform bacteria, however, people still
continue to use the contaminated water.
RECOMMENDATIONS

Improve water resources to access safe drinking water. If uncertain if the water is
free from contamination, boil it.

Observe proper waste disposal. It should be kept in mind that untidiness is the
result of cholera and many water-borne disease.

Practice effective and appropriate sanitation. A tidy individual can prevent
themselves from obtaining cholera.

Surveillance and Treatment. The admitted patients should be subjected to
continuous medication until fully recovered.

Have clear awareness