Another Tondo resident succumbs to gastro

A 58-year-old man died of severe dehydration yesterday, bringing to six the death toll in the acute gastroenteritis outbreak at the Foreshore area in Tondo, Manila since Oct. 23.

This as the Department of Health (DOH) placed yesterday at 725 the number of Foreshore residents affected by the stomach and intestinal disorder. This is 53 cases higher than the figure released by the DOH last Monday.

But epidemiologist Dr. Gerna Manatad said that of the 725 cases, only one resident was afflicted with gastroenteritis in the past 31 hours.

Manatad noted the 53 cases include those that have not been included by the DOH in its Monday update.

"We included them in our update only after we have validated that they really fall in the definition of gastroenteritis and if they are really residents (of the affected areas). Unless we have done this, we don’t include them," she told The STAR.

Foreshore residents started exhibiting severe vomiting and diarrhea last Oct. 23, weeks after the Maynilad Water Services, Inc. allegedly lowered the water pressure in the area.

DOH experts found out that the water supply was contaminated with human waste which seeped into the water pipes through the leaks and illegal connections.

Manatad added that the DOH is continuously coordinating with the Manila Health Department in monitoring the Foreshore area.

DOH update showed that of the 725 cases, only 25 remain confined in San Lazaro Hospital, Mary Johnston Hospital, Gat Andres Hospital, Tondo Medical Center and Ospital ng Tondo.