Diarrhea cases noted in Mondragon, Northern Samar due to typhoon Lando

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
November 25, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  At least 47 diarrhea cases from the same barangay in Mondaragon, Northern Samar were reported by the Provincial Health Office of Northern Samar to the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council of Region 8.

The dirty source of drinking water that is also prevalent in the neighboring municipalities, was pinpointed as the cause of the diarrhea cases. Several children were the victims, 13 of who were confined at the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital in Catarman.

It was reported that open dug wells and jetmatic pumps are the source of drinking water, all of which are exposed to the elements and bacteria. More so, these sources of drinking water are not treated with chlorine.

Because of the continuous rains that was experienced for several days due to typhoon Lando, the drinking water sources have been rendered unsafe for drinking.

As a safety measure, the Northern Samar Provincial Health Office advised the villagers to boil or put chlorine in the water that they use for drinking.

The Northern Samar Provincial Health Office reported that the situation is now under control and that no new cases have been reported.

It would be recalled that a diarrhea outbreak was reported in the municipality of Gamay in Northern Samar in the early part of November. This was caused by a dirty source of drinking water.

As advised by the Department of Health, in places where there is no supply of water from a chlorinated water system, the water for drinking must be boiled for 30 minutes and the counting must start when the water starts to boil.