Question

PARASITOLOGY QUESTION:

Amoeba case study

Calatagan is a third-class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. It has a total population of 30,500 with a total of 8 barangays. The municipality’s major revenue comes from agriculture and aquaculture. A section of the population is employed in “Ang Pulo,” an island housing a mangrove forest conservation park located in the northeast. Some residents of Calatagan are settled along the major highway that connects it to neighboring municipalities, while some live further inland, usually near farms. Major streets are cemented but small streets are not. Deep well is the main source of water but there is one water distillery station serving three barangays in the municipality. In the summer of 2005, there were 950 cases of a rare eye infection in one barangay that affected residents of different ages. The infection is characterized by severe pain and reddening of the cornea. Antiviral drugs where administered but the patients’ condition did not improve. There were also 1500 reported cases of diarrhea by the RHU. Stool examination results from specimens submitted by patients revealed an increase in WBC count. Strange crystal-like structures were also seen under the microscope in some of the stool specimens. The mayor of Calatagan ordered an immediate investigation of the probable cause of the cases.

Questions to answer:

1. Identify the probable cause of the incidents in Calatagan, Batangas. Justify. (provide references for your answers)

2. What could have been the sources of infection of the residents in Calatagan? Describe the probable mode of infection for each identified cause. Cite examples and references.

3. Briefly provide a possible plan of action on how to control the cases in Calatagan.

Answer 1