NOT SAFE. One of the four water pumps, known among locals as “poso,” was cordoned off to prevent residents from taking drinking water there following a diarrhea outbreak that left five dead in Talayan, Maguindanao del Sur. (Photo from Talayan MDRRMO)
COTABATO CITY — Five persons have died due to dehydration following an outbreak of diarrhea in a remote village of Maguindanao del Sur province, officials said.
Fuad Samola, municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer of Talayan, Maguindanao del Sur, said the victims had been drinking water from four water pumps, locally known as “poso,” in Barangay Tamar of Talayan town.
“Of the fatalities, four were minors aged 2, 3, 5 and 15,” he said, adding that the fifth fatality was a 40-year-old man.
“Starting on Dec. 31, they have complained of severe stomach pain, dizziness, and vomiting, so we rushed them to various hospitals,” Samola said.
About 10 patients remained in the hospital as of Wednesday.
Samola said the local government, upon the advice of the municipal health office, cordoned off the four water pumps located in Sitio Sinindulan of Barangay Tamar, so that residents would refrain from using the facilities.
He believed the water source that was used for drinking and cooking by about 100 families was contaminated.
These water pumps were located near the Talayan River where the locals dispose of their garbage and wash clothes, kitchen utensils, farm tolls, and even discharge human wastes.
Dr. Mohammad Ariff Baguindali, head of Maguindanao del Sur’s Integrated Provincial Health Office, confirmed that the water sources were contaminated.
Samola said residents were also barred from taking water from other natural sources, and the local government has distributed mineral water to affected families as a precaution.
“For those who can afford it, we recommend that they take drinking water from refilling stations,” Samola added.
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