Gov't warns public from communicable diseases amid flooding

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Department of Health (DOH) warned today the public of the transmission of communicable diseases following the massive flooding that inundated Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.

The DOH said that flooding "can potentially increase" the transmission of communicable diseases, such as water-borne diseases, like typhoid fever, cholera, leptospirosis, and hepatitis; and vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue.

People should ensure that drinking water comes from a safe source and when in doubt, boil water for two minutes or longer, or chlorinate drinking water to make it safe, it said.

Flooding, which was triggered by heavy rains brought by Typhoon Fung-Wong (local name Mario), which was enhanced by southwest monsoon, hit Metro Manila and six other regions in Luzon on Friday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has revised the death toll from Fung-Wong to five and not seven as it earlier reported.

Typhoon Fung-Wong has intensified as it moves towards China's Taiwan.