TONDO WATER KILLS FOUR, AT LEAST 200 FALL ILL

TONDO, MM, OCTOBER 29, 2003  (MALAYA) Four persons died after allegedly drinking contaminated water while at least 239 others were taken to various hospitals in Tondo last week.

Killed were Aquilino Manalo Sarmiento, 70, Lucia Respal, 56, Arnulfo Bayo, 40, and Redemyl Manabat, 7. The victims died due to dehydration and gastro enteritis.

The Manila Health Department (MHD) said most of those who have fallen ill were children under 10 years old.

Of those who fell sick, 115 are still undergoing treatment at the San Lazaro Hospital in Tayuman, Sta. Cruz, 41 at the Mary Johnston, 26 at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center, 20 at the Tondo General Hospital and 13 at the Ospital ng Tondo.

The affected areas in Tondo include Capulong, Velazquez, Varona, Raxabago streets and Dagupan extension.

Clemente San Gabriel, administrative officer of the Manila Health Department, said that Tondo residents started flocking to the hospitals starting Oct. 23, 24 and 25 last week.

The cases of diarrhea were caused by coliform bacteria, which contaminated water lines in the affected areas due to perforated water pipes and low water pressure.

San Gabriel added that they have coordinated with the Maynilad Water Services Inc. to flush out the contaminated water and make the necessary repairs to the pipe system to prevent another contamination.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza advised residents to boil their drinking water sourced from faucets for at least 25 minutes as a precautionary measure.

The MHD has fielded medical teams and stocked health centers in the affected areas with Oral Rehydration Solution and antibacterial medicine for treatment of those infected with the disease.

PHC bottles were also distributed to barangay authorities in the area for use in monitoring the water lines. The process for testing water for presence of bacteria involves storing water in the bottle for 24 to 48 hours. During this time, if the water turns black, the water is positive for the bacteria.

Water samples in the area are being subjected to further testing by the MHD laboratory. Samples taken from water refilling stations are also being tested for contamination. (Priam Nepomuceno)