THE CITY Health Office reported another casualty of the diarrhea outbreak, the fourth since last week.
Dr. Ashley Lopez, head of the office, said the victim, a 23-year old healthcare worker, succumbed to severe dehydration as he also reported that the office also ordered the closure of two ice plants due to the presence of the bacteria.
He said the ice plants were found contaminated with the bacteria after samples were taken as these same ice plants were the suppliers of ice to food vendors at the night market where some of the victims were found to have bought street food items that resulted in stomach problems.
Lopez added that the inspection team also found out that the ice plants, which he did not identify, were operating not in accordance with the sanitation code and that they also committed other violations.
This has led the city government to cancel their permits to operate.
On the latest casualty, the victim bought a street food on July 16 at the now-closed night food market and that he started suffering abdominal pain and was eventually brought to a private hospital in Toril.
Lopez said the victim was among them three healthcare workers of the city government who bought the same food items and they all manifested the same symptoms. The others, he added, have recovered from the illness.
Based on the latest report, there were 261 cases reported, four deaths and 74 recoveries and 26 cases for verification.
