An outbreak of diarrheal disease in the Eastern Visayas, particularly the island of Samar has accounted for 1, 476 cases of illness and 21 deaths, according to local health officials.
The outbreak has prompted the Department of Health to dispatch a team to the Samar region where the cities of Catbalogan, Calbiga and Las Navas have all recorded hundreds of cases.
In addition to Samar, Hilongos, Leyte has recorded 316 cases and no fatalities.
Officials with DOH-8 say a bacterial infection may have caused the disease; however, other potential causes have not been discounted.
The situation in Samar and the Eastern Visayas has prompted a visit from DOH undersecretary Vicente Belizario, Jr., expected to arrive tomorrow.
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