Fatalities in Samar due to diarrhea outbreak rise to 33

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – The number of fatalities caused by a diarrhea outbreak in Samar has reached 33, up from the 13 deaths reported a week earlier.

The Department of Health (DOH) Eastern Visayas Office said that as of Friday, June 10, a total of 2,947 cases have been reported in the province, with children below 5 years old as the most common victims.

A diarrhea outbreak has been declared in Catbalogan City and the towns of Sta Rita and Calbiga.

Meanwhile, cases of diarrhea are being monitored in the towns of Zumarraga, Gandara, Basey, Sta Margarita, and Pinabacdao.

Even some towns in Northern Samar and Eastern Samar are now being closely monitored by DOH.

Areas with poor water sanitation is highly susceptible to the disease, which is spread from person to person through water or food contaminated with feces, health officials said.

They also cited the recent dry season – which dried up wells and prompted people to get drinking water from rivers and streams as – a  contributing factor to the high number of confirmed cases this week.

As diarrhea continues to be a public health concern in Samar, DOH recommends that travelers to areas with an epidemic should drink only boiled or bottled water, and eat food that are either pre-packed or freshly cooked and served hot. 

Washing hands frequently with soap or hot water is also recommended.

The DOH is now supplying enough chlorine and aqua tabs to different local government units in the 3 provinces of Samar to prevent the widespread contamination of their water sources. – Rappler.com