She said they are now shifting from self-reporting to actual case interviews and record reviews at health facilities, including hospitals and health centers.
Brillantes bared that out of the 10 stool samples sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, five were positive for Norovirus, three were positive for Sapovirus, and two were positive for both viruses. The Norovirus and Sapovirus are viruses that affect the stomach and intestines.
Although AGE is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, they are looking at various contaminated water sources.
The CHSO conducted microbial analyses on 64 samples from water sources of establishments and water deliveries and ten yielded positive results for E. coli, a type of bacteria. These include water sources of three food establishments, one residential, and one school, and the rest are water deliveries.
Once there is E. coli, there is fecal contamination of the water in the sampled water sources, Brillantes said.
"Perhaps it's not the bacteria, but the virus is causing the illness. But we cannot conclude that yet because we have to get a lot of water samples, and it's an ongoing testing, ongoing sampling, ongoing investigation po of all cases," Brillantes said.
A cease-and-desist order has been issued to affected water deliveries.They were ordered to clean their water tanks, pipes, and other equipment.
The CHSO will conduct another water testing, and once cleared from contamination, the operation of these establishments will resume.
Members of the city council urged the CHSO to expedite their testing and investigation to end the AGE outbreak before the Panagbenga Festival kicks off in February.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong has declared AGE outbreak in the city last January 10 after the CHSO received reports of more than 1,600 incidents with 218 affected establishments and 80 households. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)
