Two die from cholera symptom in S. Philippine city

At least two children died while more than 30 people were hospitalized after suffering symptoms of cholera in southern Philippine city of Zamboanga over the weekend, local media reported Monday.

Local health workers have advised residents in the area not to get their water from a local well that they suspected was the source of contaminated water, Radio dzBB reported.

But local residents said they will have problems looking for water, as the well is their only source of water.

The World Health Organization defines cholera as an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

Cholera also has a short incubation period, from less than one day to five days, and produces an enterotoxin that causes a copious, painless, watery diarrhoea that can quickly lead to severe dehydration and death if treatment is not promptly given, according to the WHO.

Source: Xinhua