DUMAGUETE CITY – At least nine water sources from different areas in Vallehermoso town, Negros Oriental province, tested positive for E.coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria that left five people dead, and more cases reported over the weekend.

Jennifer Remollo, the provincial officer of the Department of Health (DOH) in Negros Oriental, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview Monday that laboratory tests were done from water samples taken from these sources after the number of cases skyrocketed last week.

“As of today, our office has recorded 203 cases of acute gastroenteritis, including the five deaths that were earlier reported last week,” Remollo said.

“Consumption of E.coli contaminated water sources can be fatal due to severe dehydration from diarrhea,” she said.

Included in those that tested positive for the bacteria were mostly from deep well and spring sources in the areas of Barangay Don Espiridion Villegas; Sitio Sangi, Barangay Tabon; Sitio Patag, Barangay Puan; Sitio Tubod, Barangay Malangsa; Barangay Puan; Malapay 1, Barangay Bagawines;; Barangay Macapso; and Barangay Poblacion, Remollo said.

The DOH official said constant rains for many days in these areas may have caused the contamination of these water sources.

She said 82 of those who came down with symptoms were admitted to the hospital.

Those who died were residents of Barangay Puan.

Remollo is hopeful that the surge of cases will be contained now that jerry cans, water filtration tablets, and hydration salts/solutions have been distributed to the residents.

People have also been advised to boil their water first prior to consumption, especially if drawn from sources at high elevations, she added. Philippine News Agency

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