Cholera Claims 2 Lives, 500 Infected In Southern RP

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 18, 2008) – An outbreak of cholera had killed two people and infected more than 500 others in the southern Philippines, health officials said Tuesday.

Officials blamed cholera for the outbreak of the epidemic that hit at least 8 villages in the town of Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental province.

Town mayor Paulino Emano has confirmed that two had died from the disease and hundreds more infected in the villages of Mohon, Sihayon, Baluarte, Sta Cruz, Sugbongcogon, Bogoac and Casinglot.

Health authorities have began a series of test of water samples in the villages. Other reports said many of those infected sourced their water from springs. The victims had been rushed to hospital since Sunday after they complained of stomach pains and diarrhea and other symptoms related to cholera. (Mindanao Examiner)