Mysterious disease kills 5, downs 20 in Zambo

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines – At least five persons have succumbed to an unknown disease which also hit 20 others for the past three days in a mountain village of Sibuco town in this province.

Reports from Sibuco town mayor Erbie “Bong” Edding said some of the afflicted victims were taken to the Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center, Siocon District Hospital and several other hospitals in Zamboanga City.

 The patients were said to have suffered from swollen lower limbs and complained of severe leg cramps followed by loss of appetite and vomiting.

 Edding was quoted as saying that the community which has 1,000 residents and mostly Muslims, was a typical village and some of the villagers engaged in mining activities in the upper portion of the barangay. He said a portion of the mountain town is rich in mineral deposits which are being excavated by a Canadian-based mining company.

 But he assured that that there so far has been no reported food contamination in the community as most of the villagers engage in farming, gardening and fishing.

 Edding also recommended laboratory examination for the affected patients to pinpoint the actual cause of their mysterious ailment which, he feared, could affect later other residents.