Bacteria found in tap water in some parts of Leyte, including Tacloban

One of Yolanda's deadliest effects is invisible.

Fecal coliform, a type of bacteria from the feces of animals and humans, has been found in samples of tap water from some areas in Leyte, including Tacloban, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday.

 

Of the 45 water samples observed by DOH from Leyte, 29 contained the bacteria. Some of these samples came from Tacloban City, GMA News' Victoria Tulad reported in the 24 Oras newscast on  Wednesday.

 

“At the household level, i-boil niyo na lang yung water, pagkatapos you ask for Aquatabs from the health centers,” said Dr. Paula Sydiongco, Assistant Regional Director of DOH Region 8. 

 

Aquatabs are water purification tablets that “kill micro- organisms in water to prevent cholera, typhoid, dysentery and other water borne diseases.”

 

 

 

“We belong to the top five regions with the high malnutrition rate. So nag-add on pa ito sa hirap ng buhay,” Dr, Sydiongco said.

 

DOH also said that 14 cases of leptospirosis have already been reported in Leyte. One of the them died. Twelve cases of tetanus infections have also been reported. Three of them have already passed away.

 

Retrieval of corpses in Tacloban is still ongoing. Four bodies were recovered in Brgy. Cogon in San Jose, According to Task Force Retrieval, about 20 to 25 bodies are being recovered everyday. — Kim Luces/ELR/HS, GMA News