DOH: Baguio water source tested positive for contamination

A water source in Baguio City has tested positive for contamination amid the declaration of an acute gastroenteritis outbreak in the city, the Department of Health (DOH) announced Thursday.

“Sa preliminary result, may isang pinagkukunan ng tubig na contaminated. Nagpositive sa test,” DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Eric Tayag said in a Balitanghali interview.

(Based on the preliminary result, there is one source of water that is contaminated. It tested positive.)

Mayor Benjamin Magalong has declared an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in Baguio City, as cases soared to 1,602 as of Wednesday. It involved 218 establishments and 80 households.

The Baguio City Health Services Office (CHSO) earlier said it is looking at water contamination as a possible reason behind the disease. Water samples from different water sources were subjected to testing and retesting to determine the actual cause.

Tayag said that diarrhea cases in Baguio started to increase since December 21, 2023.

“Aasahan namin na baka tumaas pa ito sapagkat ang City Health Office ng Baguio at si Mayor Magalong ay naglabas ng QR code kung saan ang mga nakatira ro’n ay pwedeng mag-report para mas mabilis kung sinuman ang nagkakaroon ng diarrhea,” he added.

(We expect the number of cases to increase because the Baguio City Health Office and Mayor Magalong released a QR code where people can report if they have diarrhea.)

DOH said its Epidemiology Bureau and the Center for Health Development Cordillera Administrative Region are assisting the Baguio City government to manage and control the cases of diarrhea.

The agency also advised the public to use clean water for drinking, eating, cooking, brushing teeth, and washing the hands and face.

“Water may be boiled for two minutes (start timer after water comes to a rolling boil). The use of chlorine-based water disinfection solution or tablets, if available in health centers, is also recommended. The public is also advised to report any change in color or odor of their household tap water,” it said.

“In case of loose or watery stools, the first aid is to ensure hydration. Drink replacement fluids - clean water, ideally with oral rehydration solution (Oresol). Consult a doctor.”—AOL, GMA Integrated News