ALAMADA, North Cotabato – The death toll in the suspected cholera outbreak in remote villages here rose to 14 with more than 200 residents hospitalized, officials said today.
Alamada Vice-Mayor Samuel Alim said eight more fatalities were recorded today by health workers, after having recorded six deaths from between May 10 to 12.
Alim said five of the fatalities were Moro villagers immediately buried after they died Sunday due to severe dehydration as a result of diarrhea and vomiting.
By tradition, Muslims bury their dead within 24 hours after death.
Two more fatalities, including a four month old baby, were reported Tuesday afternoon.
The local government of Alamada already declared the entire town under state of calamity.
Officials also mobilized all its vehicles to transport patients from remote farming enclaves to hospitals and and barangay health centers.
Alim said local officials remained puzzled as to what caused the cholera outbreak in the municipality.