Water sources in five evacuation centers in the National Capital Region (NCR) have been tested positive for E.coli bacteria, the Department of Health (DoH) website revealed on Saturday.

The E.coli bacteria were found in the water sources of Silangan Site 1, Silangan Site 2, Silangan Site 3, Sta. Lucia 2, and Rosa Susano Site 3, all in Quezon City.

The DoH earlier collected water samples in 11 evacuation camps in Quezon City following the September 26 flooding caused by tropical storm “Ondoy.”

Water sources in six evacuation centers passed the test, the DoH said.

The health department, however, clarified that the water sources in the five evacuation centers were immediately decontaminated using “hyposol” or water disinfectant.

Test results for water samples from evacuation centers in Regions 3 and 4A are not yet available, the DoH added.

No official, however, was available to expound on the DoH report posted on its website.

E.Coli is a type of bacteria common in human and animal intestines. It causes mostly diarrhea and is often harmless.

It can, however, cause death in immune-compromised individuals, the very young and the elderly due to dehydration from prolonged illness, according to medical studies.

The DoH said it continues to monitor the situation at evacuation camps to prevent disease outbreaks, including the more common diarrhea.

Since last month, DoH recorded upper respiratory tract infection, fever, skin disease, and infected wounds as among the more common conditions in evacuation centers.

The DoH urged the public to boil water amid the lack of potable water supply.

It also reminded the public to maintain sanitation and hygiene by frequently washing hands to avoid infection.

Almost 80 percent of the Metro Manila was submerged in flood when Ondoy made landfall last September 26.