1 killed, 25 downed by diarrhea in Camarines Sur

Authorities have declared a diarrhea outbreak in the municipality of Bato in Camarines Sur province following the death of a two-year boy and hospitalization of 25 residents in seven barangays, according to GMA News' Flash Report Friday. Dr Annelyn Mendoza, Bato municipal health officer, said the victim suffered stomach bums and diarrhea before he died while his seven-year old brother is still confined at Bicol Medical Center for the same disease. She said the number of cases went up in the last five days. Records from the municipal health office showed San Juan village has eight cases of diarrhea, three in San Vicente village; five in San Miguel village; five in Sta Cruz village; two in Tres Reyes village; one in Niño Jesus village and one in Masoli village. Authorities said contaminated drinking water is the possible cause of the disease outbreak. Mendoza said the situation is worsened by the practice of residents to consult first with an "albularyo" (quack doctor) before going to a doctor. - With a report from Michael Jaucian, GMANews.TV