ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The death toll due to acute gastroenteritis in this city has risen to 13.
The Iloilo City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit said 21 new cases were recorded on Thursday, bringing the total to 684 since July 26.
There were 46 active cases, 34 of them confined in hospitals while 12 are recuperating in their homes.
Barangay San Juan in Molo district and Barangay Sto. Niño Sur in Arevalo recorded the most number of recorded cases at 28 each.
The Sangguniang Panglungsod had earlier declared a state of calamity in the city due to the outbreak of acute gastroenteritis and cholera.
The declaration enabled the release of P12.5 million in quick response funds, of which P5 million will be used to hire additional medical personnel and P3 million to procure medical supplies.
The city health office said the gastroenteritis outbreak was caused by contaminated water source and damaged pipelines.
Several water refilling stations were closed for lack of pertinent documents.