NORTH COTABATO (Mindanao Examiner / May 14, 2014) – A cholera outbreak in the southern Philippine province of North Cotabato has killed at least 9 people and infected some 600 villagers, officials said Wednesday.
Officials said the disease broke out in several areas in Alamada town where villagers still depend on mineral springs and deep wells for their source of water. The water sources may likely be contaminated with Vibrio cholera.
The main symptoms of cholera are watery diarrhoea and vomiting and transmission of the disease occurs primarily by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by the feces of an infected person, among others.
Villagers were appealing for oral rehydration tablets and other medicines, especially for children downed by the disease. Many of the victims were brought to the hospital and given dextrose.
Health workers were sent to the villages to attend to the others. Villagers have been warned not to drink from contaminated water sources and were told to boil the water before using it.
Last year, cholera had killed 2 people and infected dozens more in Tuca-maror village in Bongo Island off Maguindanao province. Health workers blamed the epidemic to contaminated water sources. (Mark Navales)
20