Water borne diseases growing problem post Washi
Hundreds of cases of severe diarrhea and leptospirosis being reported.
10/01/2012 / EMERGENCY
International aid agency World Vision says water borne diseases
are becoming a serious problem in the aftermath of tropical storm
Washi, which struck the Philippine island of Mindanao last month
(16 Dec).
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council have
confirmed 1,257 people died in the storm, 4,663 were injured and
101 remain missing. In total, almost 1.4 million people, 40 percent
of them children, have been affected in some way.
World Vision says sanitation is becoming a growing concern in
and out of overcrowded evacuation centres. There is a shortage of
latrines, septic tanks are almost full and garbage and other debris
still litter the streets.
In recent weeks, 232 cases of severe diarrhoea and 231 of
leptospirosis have been diagnosed at the Northern Mindanao Medical
Centre. There have been five deaths as a result of the latter.
Meanwhile, the Government and aid agencies are working to secure
land for short term housing. To date, about 26 hectares has been
identified in Iligan and temporary housing is being installed for
up to 19,000 people. Land is still needed in Cagayan de Oro to
accommodate 17,000 people.
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