Diarrhea Outbreak in Philippines Towns: Report From International Society of Infectious Diseases - Essay Sample

Introduction

According to this report produced on 1st May 2019 by International Society of Infectious Diseases, the occurrence of diarrhea was frequently reported in various areas in Philippines towns in March and April 2018 (International society for infectious diseases, 2018). The outbreak is linked with a number of morbidities and mortalities. Among the places, the province of Sulu reported 8 cases of individuals who succumbed to diarrhea in approximately one month according to the report received by the Provincial Health Board (PHB). This paper discusses the epidemiology of diarrhea in the Philippines.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

Discussion

The incidences of diarrhea were speculated to have been caused by poor sanitation in many households, especially in the capital city of Sulu as well as the adjacent towns. According to a survey that was conducted by Sulu governance, only approximately 15% of the total households in Jolo town were found to have sanitary towels. On the other side, an estimate of 75% of the total households had access to potable clean water (International society for infectious diseases, 2018).

In a town called Pata alone, cases of diarrhea that were reported between March and April tolled up to 180 cases in 4 barangays (International society for infectious diseases, 2018). Morbidity reported in that month about diarrhea outbreak was 8 individuals. Increased diarrhea cases prompted various measures to be put in place in these towns and beyond to curb diarrhea outbreak (International society for infectious diseases, 2018). The DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development] was also ordered to vaccinate indigent families, especially targeting children. Likewise, the provincial engineering office was actively involved in ensuring the newly constructed buildings, either residential or commercial; each contained their sanitary toilets.

Diarrhea as a condition is fatal in young children and those with impaired immunity. According to the given report, most of the fatal cases that were reported in the diarrhea outbreak in the Philippines were amongst children, especially those who suffered severe malnutrition followed by those with severe dehydration. (International society for infectious diseases, 2018) Having diarrhea is an indication of gastrointestinal infection, which can be either bacterial, viral, or even parasitic. The spread of the disease is usually fecal-oral through consumption of contaminated food, drinking unclean waters (Riahi et al., 2018). Meaning, environmental factors such as water supply, presence of sanitation facilities, climate and food facilitate the spread of this infectious conditions. Inadequate supply of safe water, unsafe food, poor disposal of excreta, poor living conditions as well as hygiene are linked to diarrhea disease. All these factors are evident in the diarrhea outbreak report in the Philippines.

In many instances, the affected individuals have little or no information on the condition affecting them, especially on the cause. Hence, provision of health education as primary care to individuals affected by infectious disease outbreak vital. The Provincial Health Office (PHO) in conjunction with other concerned agencies were ordered to provide health education to the residents Sulu Province on the importance of sanitary toilets (International society for infectious diseases, 2018). Through the provision of health information, the residents understood the measures put in place instead of blindly continue practicing unhygienic practices and living in poor conditions despite receiving treatment (Riahi et al., 2018). Through understanding the cause of the epidemic, even the public will learn to put proper precautions in place to prevent further infection of individuals. Therefore, provision of health education in times of outbreak attracts public cooperation and assistance where needed.

Socioeconomics factors have a role to play in the spread of diarrhea condition during an outbreak (Baker et al., 2016). Socioeconomic factors determine the quality of life, access to healthcare services, access to clean water, and safe general environmental sanitation. Signs of poor socioeconomic factors as contributing factors to the increased incidences of diarrhea cases in the Philippines are pointed out in the report. According to Sulu chairperson of PHB diarrhea cases are suspected of having been caused by the poor sanitary conditions in many households in [Jolo], the capital town of Sulu and its nearing towns as well as low accessibility to portable clean water (International society for infectious diseases, 2018). Unlike other factors, socioeconomic factors become difficult to address when solving the issues revolving around an outbreak. In Philippines, the factors underlying the socioeconomic factors were attended to. This included ensuring proper structure of all buildings ensuring they had sanitary toilets and supply of clean water.

Conclusion

In the Philippines, diarrhea outbreak in 2018, goes down to records with several mortalities and morbidities reported in Sulu Province and neighboring towns. Environmental factors were significantly attributed to the increased incidence of diarrhea among various populations. Poor sanitation with inadequate sanitary toilets and low supply of clean water in the affected areas are pointed out. In the report, multiple methods to control the situation are pointed out. Among them, education of the public on healthy practices, ensuring presence sanitary toilets in every building in the towns as well as access to clean water.

References

Baker, K. K., O'Reilly, C. E., Levine, M. M., Kotloff, K. L., Nataro, J. P., Ayers, T. L., ... & Alonso, P. L. (2016). Sanitation and hygiene-specific risk factors for moderate-to-severe diarrhea in young children in the global enteric multicenter study, 2007-2011: case-control study. PLoS medicine, 13(5), e1002010.

International society for infectious diseases, p. (2018). [online] promed. Available at: https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/04/30/diarrhea-claims-8-lives-in-sulu/ Archive Number: 20180501.5776476 [Accessed 4 Jul. 2019].

Riahi, M., Mohammadi, A. A., Moghadam, V. K., Robati, Z. S., & Bidkhori, M. (2018). Diarrhea deaths in children among countries with different levels of the human development index. Data in brief, 17, 954-960.