Diarrhea outbreak in Zambo killed 19

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The death toll from the diarrhea outbreak went up to 19, mostly children less than five years old, health officials said.

The increase of the mortality from diarrhea is caused by severe rotavirus gastroenteritis since the outbreak declaration in April.

The city’s Public Information Office (PIO) said a report from the CHO Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) showed 19 people died due to diarrhea caused by contaminated water as of May 9, with ages ranging from two months to 50 years old.

Based on the CHO, 16 of the victims were less than five years old, half of them have comorbidities such as pneumonia, malnutrition, meningitis and myocardial infarction.

Majority died at the government-run Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC), the report added.

Dr. Ivy Iturralde of the CHO said there were 2,324 people admitted due to diarrhea in at least 11 hospitals in the city between March 28 to May 14.

The sanitary problem caused by shortage of water led to cases of acute gastroenteritis in the area. 

The city has been observing water rationing following the dry spell brought about by the El Niño phenomenon.