In the picturesque hills of Baguio City, a lingering threat continues to cast a shadow over the summer capital, challenging its resilience in the face of a recent gastroenteritis outbreak. Mayor Benjamin Magalong, in a groundbreaking announcement on Sunday, disclosed plans to fortify regulations and intensify testing for commercial wells and water-refilling stations, as the city grapples with the aftermath of a stomach flu surge.
The outbreak, attributed to contaminated water and poor food hygiene, has affected an alarming number of individuals, reaching up to 3,087 “self-reported” cases. While only three cases were officially recorded by the city health services office as of Sunday, Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes revealed a promising trend with a sharp downtrend in infections since January 9. Despite these positive indicators, Mayor Magalong emphasized the need for epidemiologists to pinpoint the outbreak’s cause and circumstances before declaring it officially over.
In response to the crisis, Baguio City is poised to reevaluate its sanitation laws, contemplating more stringent protocols for private deep well owners and water purification facilities. With 1,003 deep wells in the city, only 173 are currently licensed to draw water, prompting a comprehensive review of existing regulations. Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, chair of the committee on health and environment, stressed the necessity of enforcing mandatory test requirements, particularly for non-member facilities not bound by water quality tests.
The city’s legislative scrutiny will extend to key ordinances, including the Environment Code of the City of Baguio, Ordinance No. 54 regulating human waste disposal, Ordinance No. 98 mandating households to connect to the City Sewerage System, and Ordinance No. 35, the Septage Management Ordinance. This holistic review aims to strengthen the city’s defenses against future outbreaks and ensure water safety for its residents.
Magalong’s decisive action on January 10, declaring an outbreak and mobilizing a diverse team of health workers, doctors, and even policemen to collect water samples, reflects the city’s commitment to eradicating the root cause. Recent test results confirmed the presence of fecal matter in 18 out of 62 samples, with water delivery services bearing the brunt of the contamination. Further results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine are anticipated by January 17, shedding more light on the extent of the crisis.
Dr. Ian Christian Gonzales, leading the Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau team, emphasized the complexity of tracing the contamination’s origin. While initial findings suggest water as the primary culprit, ongoing investigations aim to pinpoint specific sources. Dr. Donnabel Tubera-Panes, the city epidemiologist, introduced a new dimension to the puzzle, revealing that a virus might be contributing to the infections. Half of the stool samples tested positive for norovirus and sapovirus, common strains responsible for stomach flu.
As Baguio City grapples with this health crisis, the community is encouraged to remain vigilant and adhere to health protocols. New tests are underway to assess the prevalence of norovirus and sapovirus in the early days of January, offering a crucial insight into the outbreak’s timeline. Mayor Magalong, steering the city through uncharted waters, acknowledged the uniqueness of the situation, comparing it to stomach flu trends common in countries experiencing cold seasons, such as the United States and Canada.
With this proactive approach and stringent measures, Baguio City is steadfastly working towards a resolution to end the gastroenteritis outbreak, ensuring the well-being of its residents and fostering a stronger, more resilient community.
No effect on tourism
The outbreak has not affected tourism, gauging by the number of visitors who continue to flock to Baguio during the weekends, Magalong said.
More tourists are expected in this city in time for this year’s Baguio Flower Festival which is scheduled to open on Feb. 1.
Around 9 percent (about 277) of the 3,000 people who “self-reported” their diarrheal infections through a Baguio online portal were tourists, Magalong said.
Most of the first complaints emerged after they dined at restaurants, coffee shops and other food outlets at a popular shopping mall.
Magalong said the mall reported a 20-percent decline in food sales, in a period when it expected a 10-percent hike in profits because of the holiday.