Acute Gastro cases up 121%
THE 4,210 cases of acute gastroenteritis recorded by the Pangasinan Provincial Health Office (PHO) from January 1 to August 29 this year is 121 percent higher than the number of cases in 2021 which was only 1,904 cases.
Deaths also rose to 24, in contrast to last year‘s only 11 fatalities.
Mostly affected are children aged one to seven years old, while the month of May registered the most number. Most fatalities were caused by self-medication.
Included in PHO watchlist are Umingan, Lingayen, Malasiqui, Mangaldan, Bolinao, Binmaley, Calasiao, Pozorrubio, San Carlos City, and Alaminos City.
PHO Chief Dr. Anna de Guzman, said the rise in cases were due to unsanitary food preparation, improper hygiene, and lack of clean, potable water.
De Guzman urged parents to rush their children to hospitals if they note the symptoms of acute gastroenteritis: diarrhea, high fever, vomiting, and weakness.
If not treated early enough, she said dehydration and other complications follow and when these occur, it’s too late for recovery. (Ahikam Pasion)
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