By Rusty Ferguson on November 21, 2008
Cholera In The Philippines
More Trouble In Mindanao
I started not to write about this as it is beginning to feel like I’m beating up on Mindanao and I surely don’t intend that. Everyone I’ve talked enjoys Mindanao. When I speak to Filipino they always tell me the stories are over exaggerated as it is safe in their area. I think people feel safe in there home town. Some of the area are not safe, especially for foreigners. Mindanao is a beautiful place. I would love to visit and camp near in the mountain near Zamboanga.
Now there are reports of 1500 people in hospitals and two deaths from cholera in the southern tip of Mindanao. There have been recent floods that could have contributed to this. The Red Cross has confirmed the two deaths from cholera.
Hopefully they will get this under control quickly. The people in Southern Mindanao have suffered enough!
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Posted in Mindanao, Philippine Health | Tagged Trouble In Mindanao
I'm an American expat having the time of my life living in the Philippines.
I'm becoming a bit of a jack of all trades. I grew up in Jackson, Ms where I graduated with a bachelors degree and a major in Accounting. Though there is no official designation of such, I have a strong educational background in finance as well.
I worked as a revenue agent and computer analyst for the IRS for almost 20 years. I'm retired from that and my pension makes it possible to travel as my income goes with me. I am also a webmaster and it seems, I'm becoming a writer, kicking and screaming all the way. When it comes to proper English, I'm not so good. When it comes to putting emotion and ideas on paper, I've been told for years that I am exceptional at it.
I also love photography and playing with computers which fits in well with my new lifestyle. Like I said, I'm having the time of my life in the Philippines. I look forward to exploring all of the country as well as some nearby countries.
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The Cholera epidemic is actually very true, sadly.
You are right though, most people in Mindanao downplay the seriousness of their situation but this is a very common psyhological mechanism that allows people a semblance of normality.Zam though? That is one placer you really do not want to go. The peninsula is not quite as bad as Cotabato but it is up there for sure.
I will say this though, I have travelled far and wide but the most beautiful place on the planet, to me, is the pass south of Montevista on National Hiway, right about the plain in Targum, right on that last peek looking east and south you can see peak after peak after peak all bright green with jungle and a winding blue river through the valley floor below you. Such a beautiful place and so much violence and sickness (let us not forget the frequent earthquakes). Still, I have come to love it.
hello!i am a 3rd year nursing student of one of the universities here in CDOC..me and my groupmates are conducting a reseach study about the “cholera” case that had happened in one of the places/barangays at TAGOLOAN, mis.or..thanks for the short info about the number of victims the author had gathered.hope to get more infos from you!
Sorry, that’s all the information I have and I don’t recall where I picked up that information from.
Thanks for stopping by and for taking the time to comment!
CDOC? Cebu Doctors Hospita? LOL I’ms ure it’s not but what?
Rachman…
Most of us are lulled into think we are safe at home or places we frequently go. Makes since, go there every day and nothing happens. That also makes it one of the best places for an attacker.
I’ve read several stories about expats that are robbed as they return home, two reasons for that. The expat will eventually return there. Second, we often let our guard down there. For that very reason I’m most alert when i return home from a night out. Well, I try to be, sometimes I’m thinking about other things. My stun gun, looks like a flash light, is my reminder to be vigilante.
When taking a course to obtain my gun permit in the states, it was brought out over and over again staying alert is the number one thing to do to protect yourself.
Makes sense that would go for both other people and nast critters in our environment.
Enjoying the reading and info here.
I spent the better part of 05-06 in Mindanao, namely Gingoog and Butuan. I DID learn first hand about dengue and dysentary
I agree 100% with you Joe on the need for being alert to where you are, when you are there.
I never…emphasize NEVER…had any kinds of problems in Mindanao, but most of the time followed my fiance’s (now wife) and father in laws advice.
Just have to remember that WE tend to stand out in a crowd, so if you happen to hear an explosion or see a crowd running toward a particular spot, I would say…”blend” in the opposite direction.
My philosophy, anyway.
As for illnesses…there are things besides a bullet that will put you down. Dengue…guaranteed to knock you down. Amoebic dysentary…good for weight loss and frequent excercise. Stun gun won’t affect these guys. LOL
Be aware…alert…concious of who and what is around you.
With all the fun and games to look forward to…yeah…we’re going to move back.
You contracted dengue and dysentery? Not fun!
There have been more problems lately with dysentery and cholera through out the Philippines or I’ve just read about it more recently. They have also found Ebola in pigs and this has people alarmed but so far little is known about that and no confirmed danger to humans. First time it has been found in pigs. They don’t know if this is going to be dangerous or not but it is not a good sign.
Safety is basically a numbers game, putting yourself in a place where there are more problems will increase that it will more likely happen to you. Mindanao, is not like walking around in Baghdad but it is more dangerous than Bantayan Island.
Stun gun is only choice since I can’t carry a gun. The element of surprise is always effective. My stun gun looks like a flashlight, they’ll have no idea until they are zapped. It isn’t the best but its better than nothing. It also has a siren on it, most bad guys don’t like attention.
I hope I never have a need for it but I’ll never willingly leave one scene to be taken to another. If bad guy wants to move you, its not for your benefit. So if at all possible, I’d fight someone trying to take me to another location.