ZAMBOANGA CITY, 9 August 2004 — Health workers rushed to two remote villages in the southern port city of Zamboanga after more than 130 people were reported stricken with e-coli bacteria from contaminated water sources, officials said yesterday.
Officials said about 130 people from the Manicahan and Sangali villages were rushed to clinics since Friday because of diarrhea and abdominal pains after drinking water taken from contaminated spring wells.
“E-coli bacteria is the culprit and some spring wells are contaminated by human waste,” local health officer Dr. Rodel Agbulos told reporters. He said health workers were sent to villages, about 60 km east of Zamboanga City, to further inspect water sources there.
“We have sent medicines, mostly oral rehydration tablets, and everything is under control. We advised the villagers to boil their drinking water,” he said.
