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COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 3, 2013) – A suspected cholera outbreak in the southern Philippines has killed 2 people and infected over four dozen others and health officials blamed dirty water for the epidemic.
The casualties – an elderly woman and a three-year old girl – were among villagers, mostly children, in Tuca-maror in Bongo Island in Maguindanao province that were infected by the water-borne disease and were rushed to the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center after complaining of a sharp and severe stomach pains and puking.
A local radio report quoting Parang Mayor Ibrahim Ibay and Intergrated Provincial Health Officer Dr. Tahir Sulaik as saying that the numbers of victims could reach over 50 because many of those infected are still on the island and could not go to the hospital because of the lack of boats and huge waves at sea.
Some of the victims are in hospitals in Parang town and Cotabato City. Health officials and the local government unit are working now to assist the victims and initiated steps to prevent the spread of the disease.
Dr. Arcela Abo, whose relatives were among the victims, said they were alarmed after learning the sudden death of a child and old woman on Tuesday.
“Talagang mahirap ang tubig inumin doon, siyempre island yun, ang daming batang super dehydrated na nung dinala namin sila dito kanina sa paganutan,” Abo told the Mindanao Examiner.
Dr. Shariff Manibpel said the victims showed symptoms of cholera. “Pwede siyang cholera kasi naka ten episodes na watery talaga pero kailangan pa naming suriin sa laboratory test like stool examination and stool culture,” he said.
Islanders suspect that their well was contaminated. Village chieftain Tamano Aragasin said the well is their source of water. He also urged local politicians to put up a safe and convenient water system in their community. (Ferdinandh Cabrera)
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