1 die, 80 down in Loon epidemic

The corridors and hallways of the Natalio Castillo Hospital in Loon town were filled to capacity as of last night as a water epidemic hit seven barangays striking ill more than 80 persons most of them children and claiming the life of one victim. The hospital has a 25- bed capacity. As soon as he learned about the mass hospitalization, Gov. Erico Aumentado swung into action and sent Dr. Reymosis Cabagnot to look into the incident. Dr. Celestina de la Serna, hospital chief. identified the lone fatality as Lea Lampara, three years old of Cogon Norte, Loon town.

The names of those hospitalized were not known as of last night but according to de la Serna their condition is now under control. The fatality who died upon arrival at the hospital died of diarrhea, a water borne disease. It was gathered that those who were stricken ill blamed contaminated water as the cause of the mass hospitalization. The victims were vomiting excessively when brought to the hospital. In a check with Mayor Yul Lopez last night, he said the water outbreak was triggered by contamination of water sources in barangays Cabilao, Sandingan, Poblacion and Cantaongon. It was Dr. Cabagnot who told the Post that seven barangays were affected by the epidemic but he was not familiar with the names of the other affected barangays.

To ensure that those stricken ill will remain in stable condition, Mayor Lopez sought the help of the Calape Health Center through its retinue of nurses and midwives .They assisted hospital personnel in caring those affected by the outbreak of the water-borne ailment. The mayor also placed on standby the municipal ambulance to answer any call of emergency should there will be a need for patients to be transported to Tagbilaran City . Mayor Lopez was reported to be in a quandary why the epidemic struck when subsequent water testing of the spring water sources believed to be the source of contamination was found negative of colliform bacteria.

l