TACLOBAN CITY -- Already reeling from the floods that have inundated their communities, residents of Eastern Samar province now have to deal with water-borne diseases.

At least 178 persons from the flooded city and towns were reported to be suffering from diarrhea, according to reports collated by the Office of Civil Defense in Eastern Visayas (OCD 8).

The death toll has now reached 18, the OCD report released Sunday said.

Borongan City and Maydolong and Dolores towns had the biggest number of fatalities with three each. Other casualties were from the towns of Jipapad, Gen. MacArthur, Taft, Can-avid, San Julian, all in Eastern Samar; Pinabacdao in Samar; Dulag and Palo, both in Leyte; and Culaba in Biliran.

The OCD expected the figure to climb as they continued to receive reports from affected towns, said the agency’s operation chief Rey Gozon.

Diarrhea cases rose with floodwaters brought by relentless rain, said Gozon.

These were detected in practically all towns in Eastern Samar with Borongan having the biggest number of people hit by the water-borne disease at 38.

Also struck were Can-avid, Llorente, Guiuan, Balangkayan, and Taft, 10.

Teogenes Baluma, regional health director, said the disease was already under control. His office immediately distributed oral rehydration solutions to the victims.

The health regional office activated its operations center last week to immediately respond to requests of local government units.

Damage to infrastructures and agriculture throughout the region have already reached P600 million, the OCD reported.

More than 16,000 hectares of rice farms have been flooded. Eastern Samar, the hardest-hit province, bore the brunt with 9,700 hectares and P70.9 million worth of palay destroyed, the report said.

Damage to roads and bridges was placed at P559 million.