DOH: Acute gastroenteritis outbreak in Baguio already contained

The acute gastroenteritis outbreak in Baguio City has officially been contained, the Department of Health (DOH) announced Tuesday.

Citing data from the Baguio City Health Services Office (CHSO), Health Undersecretary Eric Tayag said that more than 3,000 individuals were affected but no one died.

“Halos 400 ang talagang merong konsultasyon. Iilan lamang ang na-ospital,” Tayag said at a press briefing.

(Only 400 individuals needed consultation, and only a few got hospitalized.)

The CHSO reported Tuesday that there was a “steep downward trend” in the number of self-reported diarrhea cases in Baguio from the peak of 520 on January 8 to only 13 on January 15.

Tayag said that the water samples that tested positive for fecal coliform were only from water refilling stations, while the main water source in the city tested negative.

“Nai-report ng city health office sa amin na may na-isolate na virus—ang norovirus and sapovirus. Dito maiintindihan natin kung bakit naka-recover kaagad, sapagkat itong mga virus na ito, naging sanhi ng infection or diarrhea o acute gastroenteritis. Kadalasan bukod sa diarrhea ay nagsusuka at ito’y nakita sa mga pasyente na maaring nakuha sa contaminated water,” he explained.

(The city health office reported to us that there were viruses isolated—the norovirus and sapovirus. These viruses caused the infection or diarrhea or acute gastroenteritis. Aside from diarrhea, patients experience vomiting due to contaminated water.)

Mayor Benjamin Magalong declared an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in Baguio City last week.

The DOH said that the diarrhea cases in Baguio started to increase on December 21, 2023. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News