PALO, Leyte – Thirty four persons have died in a diarrhea outbreak in Samar.
Department of Health Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) Director Minerva Molon has expressed alarm and said that the outbreak is now being addressed by her office with the help and support of local government officials and non-government organizations in Samar and Eastern Samar.
Molon said the cases and victims were reported in Catbalogan City, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, Basey, Sta. Margarita, Gandara, and Zumarraga, all in Samar.
She said that they received and addressing reports that three towns of Eastern Samar also have a diarrhea outbreak.
The outbreaks were blamed on contaminated drinking water and poor sanitation and most of the victims were children.
DoH Region 8 epidemiologist Boyd Cerro said 2,947 persons from the affected areas were treated and hospitalized for diarrhea.
Doctors and nurses from the DoH Region 8 have been sent to assist affected areas in the treatment of victims. (Nestor L. Abrematea)