Gastro kills 3 San Fernando kids, downs 818 others

SAN FERNANDO CITY — Gastroenteritis have killed three children aged two to 10 and downed more than 800 others in this La Union capital from January to October this year.

Two of the three fatalities are from the coastal villages of San Vicente and San Agustin, and the third from Barangay IV.

Dr. Eduardo Posadas, city health officer, however, said the 818 recorded gastroenteritis cases were lesser than those during the same period last year.

Posadas said his office, with the help of barangay health workers, have conducted massive disinfection of water sources and household containers to contain the spread of gastroenteritis.

He advised residents to continue cleaning their surroundings and properly boil their drinking water.

Gastroenteritis is a water-borne disease that affects mostly children with weak resistance. It can be acquired from drinking contaminated water.