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MANILA, Philippines – Have you been dared to take the ice bucket challenge? Make sure your water is clean first.
Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Enrique Tayag said that the ice bucket challenge may cause health problems like salmonella depending on the cleanliness of the water source.
“Accidentally swallowing water from #icebucketchallenge can potentially cause #salmonella infection #makesureIceisnotfromdirtysource,” he posted on Twitter Wednesday night.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, those infected with salmonella, a common cause of food poisoning, develops diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.
It is caused by bacteria salmonellosis that lasts four up to seven days. Although most patients recover, the infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and may cause death if not treated well.
The viral fundraiser ice bucket challenge aims to raise donations for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The ALS Association has so far received $94.3 million in donations since July 29.
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