Health officials point to e.coli

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

At least 169 people, mostly children, were hospitalized yesterday morning with diarrhea in Barangay Looc, Sibulan, Negros Oriental.

Based on initial information from the town’s local health office, drinking water from an artesian well, located near a creek, was contaminated with e.coli, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control, can be contracted through contaminated water or food.

Health officials determined a piggery near the pump was the likely source of the contamination.

Sibulan health officials immediately provided water sanitizers to the affected residents and reminded them to boil water before drinking.

Officials also conducted widespread water treatment in the area./DGB, WDJ