Water distributor denies sparking cholera outbreak
Latest data from the TCHO shows that as of 29 October, a total of 420 cases of acute watery diarrhea have been recorded in seven villages in the city with four deaths
Daily TribuneLatest data from the TCHO shows that as of 29 October, a total of 420 cases of acute watery diarrhea have been recorded in seven villages in the city with four deaths
TACLOBAN CITY — The water distributor that supplies water to a village here where the cholera outbreak started claimed that water samples taken from their facilities were tested earlier in October and has passed the quality standards.
In a letter sent to Tacloban City Health Officer Danilo Ecarma dated 27 October, Mactan Rock Industries manager for water supply Ruben Quitat said the company will cooperate with the city government in the efforts to resolve the problem of acute watery diarrhea that plagued the community where they operate. The letter was made available to the media on Sunday.
Quitat admitted that the company is the water provider for parts of Barangay 106, specifically in the relocation sites of GMA Village, UN Habitat, PICE Village, Core Shelter and Global Medic where a total of 1,074 houses were constructed for families displaced by typhoon "Yolanda."
He stressed that while the MRI had a water sampling and analysis on 10 October, the company is inviting the TCHO to conduct another test to their facilities. Quitat provided TCHO with a copy of the results of the tests conducted at the Eastern Visayas Medical Center.
Quitat also emphasized that MRI is not the water provider in Barangays 105, 107, 91-Abucay, 39-Calvary Hill and 79-Marasbaras where cases of acute watery diarrhea were also reported.
Latest data from the TCHO shows that as of 29 October, a total of 420 cases of acute watery diarrhea have been recorded in seven villages in the city with four deaths. TCHO corrected its previous data of five deaths as a case of double reporting.
Earlier, TCHO and the Department of Health regional office confirmed cholera in the city after a stool sample on 10 patients tested positive.
Tests on water samples conducted by the two agencies also show that raw water at the source, the processed water, and on the pipes leading to households in Barangay 106 all showed positive of contamination of total coliform and Escherichia coli or E. Coli.
A water refilling station found inside the village was likewise tested positive of both total coliform and E.Coli.