Diarrhea death toll in Zamboanga, Sulu climbs to 45

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The death toll due to the outbreak of diarrhea in this city and Sulu has risen to 45.

Joshua Brillantes, assistant regional director of the Department of Health (DOH) in Zamboanga peninsula, said 22 deaths have been reported in Zamboanga City since last month and 23 in Sulu during the same period.

The Zamboanga City health office said it recorded almost 3,000 cases. 

“The main culprit here is water,” Brillantes said, citing the result of the tests on water samples from a local water utility company and water refilling stations.

Sulu health officer Fahrra Omar said 1,706 people were admitted at the Sulu Provincial Hospital.

At least 201 cases were also reported in Basilan and 185 in Alicia town in Zamboanga Sibugay.

During a forum with local health leaders, DOH assistant secretary Nestor Santiago recommended the creation of a water monitoring team to prevent the spread of the virus that causes diarrhea.

The DOH earlier released P5 million for government-run hospitals in this city amid the diarrhea outbreak.