PHILIPPINES – At least 14 people, mostly children, have died due to diarrhea in Zamboanga City, southern Philippines, and the number of casualties continue to rise, according to the Zamboanga City Health Office.
City Health Officer Dr. Rodel Agbulos said severe rotavirus disease continues to be the main cause of the diarrhea outbreak that have already affected at least 2,000 persons.
The Local Health Support Unit of the Department of Health (DOH) earlier confirmed that the water source of the city, which is used by residents, was positive of rotavirus.
The DOH has sent personnel from its Reseach Institute for Tropical Medicine in Zamboanga City to investigate the cause of the diarrhea outbreak that started in March.
Health officials said up to 30 samples were subjected to laboratory examination and 65 percent of them tested positive for fecal material. – BusinessNewsAsia.com