Baguio City on its toes for spike in acute gastroenteritis

BAGUIO CITY — Public health officials in Baguio City have shored up steps to thwart the further hike of acute gastroenteritis cases in the City of Pines.

After receiving reports of cases involving different food establishments in the city last January 2, the Baguio City Health Services Office immediately conducted an investigation and is now looking into the possibility that it may have been caused by contaminated water, Acting City Health Officer Celia Flor Brillantes said.

According to the Baguio Public Information Office, Sanitation Division of the CHSO collected water samples from the different water sources of the establishments concerned and is now subjecting these for testing and retesting to determine the source and cause of the contamination.  

The CHSO also coordinated with the Baguio Water District and had been assured by the district that they will conduct their own investigation and testing to help identify the cause of the sickness.

While waiting for the result of the tests, physician Brillantes said that they advised the establishments to refrain from serving tap and filtered water and to serve only purified or bottled water to their customers for safety purposes.  

“We are hoping that all food establishments will cooperate to help ensure the safety of their customers and prevent more incidents,” she said. 

Brillantes, according to Baguio Public Information's report, did not rule out the possibility of the occurrence of similar cases within homes. She encouraged residents who experience similar health concert to report to the nearest district health centers and help in the ongoing investigation.

As of Tuesday noon, the CHSO has recorded around 350 cases of acute gastroenteritis from Dec. 21, 2023.