Death of 2 Caloocan kids traced to contaminated water

The illness that killed at least two children since last weekend in Caloocan City has been traced to contaminated water, government doctors said Friday. Raquel Sosayo, city health officer of Caloocan City, said the contaminated water in the area was the cause of the stomachaches that the children have been experiencing since Saturday. "It was the contaminated water that caused the illness. It has already downed at least 10 people in the area," dzBB radio quoted Sosayo as saying. Four-year-old Erica Flava died Wednesday at the Tala Hospital, while her siblings were also hospitalized. Her brother Erwin, 5, already died before their father Edwin could bring them to doctors on Saturday last week. Still at the hospital were her siblings Angel, 3, Roxanne, 2, and Eloisa, 1. GMA News' Flash Report said Thursday another sibling, Ryan 10, was undergoing treatment at the Tala Hospital. Sister Ednalyn, 6, was reportedly rushed to the Lungsod ng Kabataan hospital in Quezon City. At least two neighbors were rushed to the nearby Bermudes Hospital after complaining of stomachaches. The Flavas' father initially thought the children were suffering from food poisoning as they did not have a refrigerator to preserve food at home. However, Sosayo said an inspection of the houses showed the water near the area was contaminated. She advised local village officials to clean the area.-GMANews.TV