In a follow up to a report Tuesday, the city of Alamada in North Cotabato province has been placed under a state of calamity after more than 500 people has been sickened in a diarrhea outbreak, according to a Philippine Information Agency report today. Previously, the number of cases was at 214 just days ago.
Municipal Mayor Virginia Concepcion said, “The local government unit is constantly monitoring the situation of the victims in the villages of Lower and Upper Dado, Pigkawaran, Ranggayen and Mapurok,” she said adding that they are doing their best to help the victims and that health officials are ready round the clock.
Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) chief, Dr. Eva Rabaya reported that the number of victims rose to 545. Out of this number, 173 were admitted to Alamada District Hospital and the others to hospitals in Libungan and Midsayap towns. Eight fatalities have been reported, down from 12 previously reported.
Cholera was suspected in earlier reports and an exact etiology has not been determined to date. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page.
Rabaya says water sampling and analysis is ongoing to determine the agent and the source of the outbreak. “The patients have experienced nausea, vomiting and severe stomach pain but they were all given urgent medication particularly oral and intravenous medications,” Rabaya stated.
