Another baby dies at Kanlaon evacuation center

BACOLOD CITY — A nine-month old baby boy fell ill in an evacuation center in La Castellana and died on Jan. 25, the Provincial Health Office reported on Thursday.

Dr. Girlie Pinongan, provincial health officer, said that the baby was diagnosed with pneumonia.

The baby was with his family who evacuated from Barangay Cabagnaan, La Castellana after Kanlaon Volcano erupted on Dec. 9, 2024.

Pinongan said the baby was coughing and had fever at the evacuation center and was brought to a private doctor for consultation. He was prescribed antibiotics.

However, the municipal health office of La Castellana saw that the baby was not getting well and was severely dehydrated. He was then brought to the Ignacio L. Arroyo Memorial District Hospital in Isabela town where he passed away.

Officially, the baby's cause of death is septic shock due to sepsis secondary to community acquired pneumonia.

Pinongan said another baby from an evacuation center died on Dec. 25, 2024.

She said a nine-month old baby boy from Barangay Masulog, La Castellana was brought the Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial District Hospital in La Carlota City after severe vomiting. He also died while being treated at the hospital.

Rayfrando Diaz II, provincial administrator, said the deaths of the babies were not caused by mismanagement at the evacuation centers.

There are 9,684 evacuees currently staying at the evacuation centers in La Castellana, Bago City and La Carlota City in Negros Occidental and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.

They are the residents who live inside the six-kilometer danger zone around Kanlaon Volcano that is under Alert Level 3.

Diaz said that the Provincial Health Office is "on top of the situation" and is closely monitoring the condition of the evacuees.

Dr. Razzel Nikka Hao, Department of Health regional director, said evacuees who show signs of respiratory illness are usually being referred to rural health units and health centers for treatment.