Health officials suspect insecticide from nearby farms has contaminated the drinking water
Ten Cambodian villagers have died and 120 have fallen ill due to suspected drinking water contamination. Officials from the Kratie Provincial Health Department suspect storm water runoff from nearby farms has brought insecticide into a stream where villagers collect drinking water, according to a statement released on May 6.
On May 3, the villagers began to fall ill, showing symptoms including breathing problems, dizziness, vomiting and chest pains, as reported by The Star. Health officials have collected water and food samples from the two impacted villages and are awaiting results.
More information regarding the cause of contamination and how to manage the situation will be available once the water quality sampling results are complete.
