MAYOR Renato Gustilo has declared a state of health emergency in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, amid an alarming rise in cases of amoebiasis in the city.Gustilo signed Executive Order 79 on Wednesday, February 22, directing all village chiefs to coordinate with their respective village health workers to conduct a roving public announcement system to urge residents 'to have their drinking water boiled, keep the surroundings clean, and maintain proper personal hygiene.'Gustilo said on Monday, February 27, said that San Carlos City has 230 confirmed cases of amoebiasis based on the number of patients admitted at the San Carlos City Hospital.However, he said some patients have already been discharged, while others with mild cases did not go to the hospital.The mayor also said that there are seven inmates at the San Carlos City Jail who have been admitted at the hospital because of amoebiasis.The mayor also clarified that when the San Carlos Water Works inspected and tested the water source at the city jail, it turned out negative for the amoeba bacteria.Gustilo said he will meet with officials of the San Carlos Water Works and other stakeholders to discuss how to address the rise of amoeba cases in the city.'We are conducting random water sampling in houses where there are positive cases,' Gustilo said.Samples from the main line of the city's water system were also subjected to laboratory tests and results are expected to be released on Friday, Gustilo said.Gustilo is calling on all residents to drink bottled water or boil tap water 'to be safe.'Amoebiasis, or amoebic dysentery, is an infection of the intestines caused by a parasitic amoeba Entamoeba histolytica. Symptoms may include lethargy, loss of weight, colonic ulcerations, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea.
