Cotabato City – The Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM) on Friday urged residents in flooded areas to boil drinking and cooking water after samples tested positive for E. coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria.
Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., BARMM health minister, said the bacteria were found in laboratory tests of water samples taken from a previously flooded area in the region.
“We noted rising cases of stomach disorders among flood-affected residents in the region and our health,” he said in a radio interview.
“We have distributed over 5,000 aqua tabs to serve as sterilizing tablets so that our evacuees and flood victims are safe in drinking water,” he added.
He said the best prevention for bacterial infection is boiling all drinking and cooking water.
E. coli is commonly found in rivers, streams, lakes, and canals.
Sinolinding said consumption of E. coli-contaminated water sources can be fatal due to severe dehydration from diarrhea.
