KORONADAL CITY (PNA) – The Municipal Health Office (MHO) of Banga, South Cotabato confirmed on Friday, Oct. 21, the death of a senior citizen following a diarrhea outbreak in Barangay Lampari that downed 50 others.
Dr. Ellen Quidilla, MHO-Banga chief, was unable to identify the lone fatality in the outbreak on Thursday, Oct. 20, but noted the patient died from dehydration.
Thirty-eight of the patients are currently admitted at the Soccsksargen General Hospital (SGH) in General Santos City while eight are at private hospitals in nearby Surallah, South Cotabato.
“Some of the patients are also being treated at the barangay station of Lampari,” Quidilla said in an interview.
At least 25 of the patients are children who experienced vomiting, headache, and stomach pain, she added.
“We have assisted the villagers and our municipal mayor led the distribution of rice and potable water. We also gave dextrose and medicines to the patients,” she said.
Quidilla said the diarrhea outbreak could have been caused by contaminated drinking water from the nearby spring.
“We are still waiting for the result of the assessment by the provincial health office to confirm any possible contamination,” she said.
Quidilla said the patients are now all in stable condition and the situation is under control.