Taking the ice bucket challenge? Beware the health risks, says DOH exec

Taking the wildly viral ice bucket challenge to raise awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?

Just make sure the water you use is clean, lest you end up with some other medical condition, National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Enrique Tayag said Wednesday.

On his Twitter account, Tayag warned of the possibility of salmonella infection if the water used is dirty.

"Accidentally swallowing water from #icebucketchallenge can potentially cause #salmonella infection," he said.

He added the hashtag #makesureIceisnotfromdirtysource.

Salmonella infection may lead to diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the illness usually lasts four to seven days, and some may need to be hospitalized.

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is a now-worldwide phenomenon that aims to raise funds for ALS research.

Read: What is ALS?

As of Aug. 26, the ALS Association said the ice bucket donations had reached $88.5 million. — Joel Locsin/BM, GMA News