DAVAO CITY (PNA) – At least 126 people were downed by a diarrhea outbreak in Barangay Napungas, Asuncion, Davao del Norte, an official said Thursday, Aug. 18.
“No casualty was recorded and most of the victims are adults,” said Barangay Napungas Chairman Mariolito Maneja in an interview.
As of Wednesday, Aug. 17, he said seven residents were admitted to their barangay health center, six at the Kapalong District Hospital, 59 stayed at home, and 54 have recovered.
Maneja said the diarrhea cases started on Aug. 10.
Until Thursday, patients experiencing abdominal pains are still being treated.
Seven of the 10 areas in the barangay were affected by the disease, at least 30 percent of them children.
Based on the confirmatory test from the Provincial Health Office Thursday, Maneja said the barangay’s drinking water is infected by bacteria.
“Bacteria were present in the water they used. However, the most number of bacteria were found on our supply, which is from a spring,” he said.
Maneja said the Department of Health has sent medicines for the victims.
He urged his constituents to boil water before drinking.