Mysterious disease kills 4, hospitalizes 19 in S Philippines
ZAMBOANGA CITY. July 7. KAZINFORM A mysterious disease has claimed at least four lives and sent 19 villagers from a coastal town in southern Philippines, health officials said Wednesday; Kazinform refers to Xinhua.
The patients, aged 19 to 49 years old, all native of Mantebo, a coastal village of Sibuco town, Zamboanga del Norte province, were brought to Zamboanga City Medical Center last week after the local town officials were alarmed of the disease that have stricken the village.
Dr. Maribel Felisario, public information officer of the medical center, said the patients complained of cramps, swollen lower limps, and experienced loss of appetite and vomiting.
At least four people have died but Sibuco Mayor Norbie Bong Edding said they were investigating if the death of the victims were related to the disease that have stricken the village.
Although the hospital initially believed the victims might have been exposed to toxin of marine products, doctors have to rely on the laboratory test to determine the cause of the disease, said Felisario; Kazinform cites Xinhua.
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