SAN Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo declared that his locality is in a state of health emergency on Wednesday, February 22, as cases of amoebiasis rise.
In Executive Order No. 79, he directed all punong barangays to coordinate with their respective barangay health workers to conduct "rekorida" for public awareness and urged the public to have their drinking water boiled, keep the surroundings clean, and maintain proper personal hygiene.
The mayor stressed in the EO that anyone, young and old, is prone to contracting food and waterborne diseases, which are likely to get infected with cholera, diarrhea, typhoid fever, and amoebiasis.
Amoebiasis can be contracted by ingesting infective cysts through water or food contaminated with infected feces, and by eating with hands without proper washing, the EO added.
Gustilo said there have been alarming concerns about the rising cases of amoebiasis in the city, which is why the city government took immediate action.
The mayor visited the city hospital on February 21 to check on patients confined for amoebiasis and to guarantee the responsiveness of the local hospital.
He also said he directed strong coordination among barangays in spreading public awareness regarding the surge and how to prevent it.
"Right now, the overall health of San Carloseños is my top priority," the mayor said.
He also invited key people in the government to discuss and help him come up with solutions to the rising cases of amoebiasis in the city.
"While exploring all possible sources of amoeba, I have ordered them to inspect all water sources, water refilling stations, and food establishments/stalls without sanitary permits," he said.*