Diarrhea kills 1 in Sibonga

Diarrhea has reportedly swept through a village in Sibonga town, killing one person and sending 51 others to the hospital.

Reports said that Vicente Caban of sitio Mantatong, barangay Mangyan had died of diarrhea but Dr. Fe Lyn Tampon, municipal health officer, clarified that the victim died of pneumonia based on his death certificate.

Tampon said that based on their investigation, the drinking water of the residents in the area has been found positive of "fecal material" or was contaminated with human and animal wastes.

Some of the victims were identified as Rodel Torres, 14; siblings Joran, 14, and Herbert Recopelacion, 13, and their cousin Almira Recopelacion, 3. At least 47 other victims were rushed to the hospital but they are now declared out of danger.

Tampon said that the municipal government has already extended medical assistance to the victims.

According to her, residents of the village sourced their drinking water from a spring, which flows from an area where some residents don't have toilets and are raising animals.

Tampon said that the spring is the only source of drinking water of about 50 families, or about 300 people, in the barangay, adding that they are now training the residents on how to chlorinate their drinking water.

Earlier, the Department of Health had advised the public to be cautious in taking water and food during the rainy season when contamination is common. - Wenna A. Berondo