TACLOBAN CITY — Hundreds of residents in this city were brought to different community health centers and hospitals after experiencing diarrhea and vomiting due to suspected cholera outbreak affecting at least seven villages here since Sunday.

At least two individuals died — including a 10-month-old infant — due to a severe case of dehydration after they were brought to the hospitals while least 34 people have been brought to government hospitals for immediate treatment after they started manifesting symptoms of severe dehydration.

Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez said they were surprised and alarmed at the sudden surge of diarrhea cases in government hospitals since Sunday.

"This is very alarming and a serious issue especially that it already cost the life of an infant," Romualdez said. "I advise all the residents to make sure that the water that they drink is clean. If these are bottled water, make sure that they are properly sealed and came from a reputable water company."

City Health Officer Dr. Danilo Ecarma said out of the 17 stool samples that were submitted to the Department of Health regional office for rapid diagnostic test, two were found positive of cholera bacteria.

Ecarma, however, said it will remain as "suspected cholera" case until they undergo confirmatory testing that involves a culture of stool samples wherein final results will only be available after two days.

Romualdez said most of the cases came from villages in the northern part of the city where permanent relocation sites for residents displaced from typhoon "Yolanda" are located, but there were also reported cases in other parts of the city.

Based on initial investigation conducted by the City Health Office and the city's Sanitary Engineer, one possible suspect of the spread is the water from refilling stations that are sold in these areas.

Romualdez said residents in the northern villages source their drinking water from those commercially sold since they have already been told that water from the taps is not fit for drinking.