Diarrhea outbreak declared in 3 Cebu villages

A diarrhea outbreak was declared in at least three villages in Danao City in Cebu province this week, with local authorities advising residents to take extra steps to purify their water. Radio dzBB reported Wednesday that at least 162 cases of the disease had hit residents in Taboc, Taytay and Cambanay villages in Danao City. One death, that of a one-year-old patient, was recorded at the Danao City hospital. In a phone interview with GMANews.TV, city health officer Dr. Cristina Giangco said the probable cause of the diarrhea outbreak is contaminated water source in the city's public water system. "The villages have a spring water source, which goes through a chlorinator and through a pump," she said. "The chlorination system bogged down last week, so that may be the cause of the contamination." Giangco added that heavy rains late last week may have aggravated the contamination. Mayor Ramon Durano III said residents have been crowding the district hospital since last week. Giangco said the patients, mostly children, are now admitted in hospitals, hydrated and given antibiotics. Durano added that the city government plans to use its calamity funds to buy medicines for those hit by diarrhea. The problem has prompted the Health Department's Central Visayas district to advise residents to avoid using water from the public water system for drinking or even washing clothes and bathing. — with Candice Montenegro/RSJ, GMANews.TV