Four water refilling stations, not just one, were found to be the sources of cholera outbreak in Bacoor, Cavite, local health officials reported Tuesday.

The Bacoor Municipal Health Office (BMHO) said that Mayor Strike B. Revilla has issued a closure order against the four water stations in the town following the outbreak.

Dr. Encarnita Camama, BMHO head, said the mayor issued the order after water samples taken from the four stations were found to contain bacteria.

Camama said she is set to call an emergency meeting involving some 200 refilling station operators in the town to discuss the intestinal disease epidemic and ensure that no one would sell polluted water any more.

The health officer confirmed the outbreak during the Monday flag-raising ceremony at the Bacoor Municipal Hall and "talakayan" (meetings) with officials and residents.

The Bacoor outbreak was first published by the Manila Bulletin and Tempo.

Both Dr. Nelson C. Soriano, Cavite provincial epidemiologist, and Camama announced the outbreak that killed two children, aged five and months old, and an 82-year-old resident and afflicted 46 others in Panapaan IV and Longos areas.

"There was an outbreak but it was contained with the measures taken by the local health department to treat the victims and against the refilling stations," said Camama.

Cholera is a bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract of one. The bacterium is called vibrio cholera. The bacteria are found in human and animal feces. It is spread by eating or drinking food or water contaminated by the fecal waste of an infected person.

The disease can cause severe dehydration and death to one if not treated at once. Those stricken by the virus suffer gastric and joint pains, headaches and frequent vomiting.

Soriano said cholera is "dangerous" as it can kill people within hours.

The cholera fatalities were residents of Pulido compound in Barangay Panapaan IV, it was gathered.

Soriano and Camama held the identities of the cholera victims and the four refilling stations confidential.

Camama said the four stations will be closed until they have complied with the requirements asked by the health department.

The health officer said closure order notice was posted on the doors of the four water stations.

There will be no charges filed against the four stations in connection with the four cholera deaths, said Camama.

Soriano claimed that out of the 46 diarrhea victims who underwent rectal swab test in Panapaan, eight were found to be positive for cholera.

The epidemiologist said that unless something is done, the cholera virus will continue to spread in the town and elsewhere.

Both Soriano and Camama called on the residents to take precautionary measures by drinking safe water, eating good foods and taking proper sanitation.