The Cagayan de Oro City Health Office (CHO) has confirmed that 16 of 19 water samples subjected to testing have tested positive for coliform and fecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause stomach pain, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.

The water tests were conducted as part of the investigation by health authorities following an increase in acute gastroenteritis cases in the city in September 2025.

CHO said the water samples were collected from población barangays, including from four malls in the downtown area.

“Kasagaran sa mga pasyente that were able to experience AGE (Acute Gastroenteritis) duna’y history nga naka-kaon sa mga establishment nato, so muna gi-call nato ang ilang attention,” CHO Head, Dr. Rachel Dilla, said.

CHO, along with the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) and mall management, addressed the problem by implementing measures to clean the water systems.

Water from the four malls will undergo further testing to ensure that it is already free from bacteria.

“Sa pagkakaron, wala usa ta nagpagamit sa ilang tubig para imnon sa ilang mga kliyente coming sa ilang mga gripo,” Dilla added.

Data from CHO also showed that more than 100 individuals were admitted to hospitals due to acute gastroenteritis, while over 100 were treated as outpatients. More than 50 people also sought help from health centers.

Most of the patients were between 20 and 30 years old, with the youngest being a six-month-old baby.

Despite the rising cases, CHO said the situation is not alarming.

“It happens lang… diba naa’y mga bagyo, ulan-ulan ,so most probably mga contamination na dayun na sa atong mga water system ang nahitabo,” Dilla said.