AT least 129 people have fallen ill in a cholera outbreak in Carnaza Island in Daanbantayan town.
The Department of Health (DOH) sent personnel to the island to assist residents.
Rennan Cimafranca of DOH 7’s Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit told reporters that of the 129 confirmed cases, 11 have been admitted to a hospital and lab tests showed three of them indeed had cholera.
Cimafranca said that water samples collected from eight spring-type wells were found tainted with traces of human or animal waste. Majority of the water sources they inspected also provide brackish water.
The DOH 7 has distributed 120 jerry cans that the residents can use to store clean and potable water. Cimafranca said they also distributed 2,000 water tabs to help disinfect the town’s water sources.
Cimafranca advised residents to avoid using open water sources, such as springs.