Water sources in a mountain barangay in Alegria town, southwestern Cebu are contaminated by E. coli bacteria, a Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7)water sample showed.
“The initial results for the water testing showed coliform growth in the water,” said Dr. Angelita Salarda, DOH-7 local health support chief.
“There’s contamination but it does not necessarily mean that it is the cause of the typhoid fever.”
The Provincial Health Office will conduct a second water test to verify the results, the doctor told a forum.
Blood samples taken from seven patients last week tested positive for salmonella bacteria which cause typhoid fever.
The number of townsfolk suspected to have typhoid fever reached 149 yesterday morning.
The patients are from barangays Valencia, Madridejos, Compostela, Guadalupe and Sta. Filomena.
Many towns do not have chlorinators and do not test water sources every month as the Sanitation Code requires, but the DOH has no power to sanction town officials, Salarda said.
“However, individuals can complain against the LGU if there is mismanagement.”
Health representatives of Cebu’s southern towns including Alegria recently attended a seminar on maintaining water sources and monitoring drinking water, said Evangeline Canoneo, DOH-7 environmental sanitation engineer.