BAGUIO CITY – On Thursday, the city government lifted its declaration of a gastroenteritis outbreak, as authorities linked at least 80 percent of the cases affecting over 3,000 people since mid-December 2023 to contaminated water.
“We can now confidently say (that) we are out of the woods. The outbreak is over,” stated Mayor Benjamin Magalong during a late-afternoon press conference.
Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, acting city health officer, revealed that investigations indicated deep wells, the source of water delivery trucks supplying households and establishments, were responsible for the outbreak.
“Several (customers) resorted to water delivery because of the high demand for water due to the increased visitor arrival in the city,” she explained during the same briefing.
Brillantes disclosed that 12 deep wells tested positive for coliform, organisms present in the environment and feces of warm-blooded animals and humans. Further tests showed that seven of these wells had the presence of intestine-living Escherichia coli (E-coli), likely due to runoff water contamination.
Baguio officials are awaiting the Department of Health-Epidemiology Bureau’s final bacteriological and virological reports, expected by Friday.
Local officials noted reports of rising diarrhea cases starting on Dec. 20, with numbers peaking from Dec. 26 to Jan. 13, 2024.
Magalong announced the closure of deep wells and water delivery services linked to the outbreak until they receive clearance.
Dr. Donnabel Panes, chief of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU), reported finding norovirus, a contagious virus, in at least 50 percent of water and stool samples from hospitalized patients. She mentioned that secondary transmission occurred from infected individuals handling food for their families, explaining why many victims did not dine out.
Magalong stressed the need for stricter policies on bulk and potable water delivery services, along with a safe water ordinance in response to the outbreak. (PNA)
Komentar :
Post a Comment