In a statement, the DOH said tests done on the water system of the local government unit (LGU) showed positive for contamination.
“Testing from the LGU’s water system tested positive for coliform, which indicates contamination,” said the DOH.
Despite this, the health department has yet to verify if there is a prevailing amoebiasis outbreak in San Carlos City.
“Samples from admitted cases have been forwarded to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for confirmatory testing,” the DOH said.
Last week, San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo issued an executive order declaring a state of health emergency in the area due to the increasing number of reported amebiasis cases.
The DOH, however, opted to send a team of epidemiologists to ascertain if there is an outbreak that would warrant the declaration of a health emergency, and if it is caused by amoebiasis.
Based on initial reports of the DOH team, there are already 328 diarrhea cases reported in San Carlos City since the start of 2023.
It said all barangays of the city were affected, with patients experiencing symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
“Data has shown that there was a sharp increase in cases from February 17, 2023, peaked on February 19, 2023, and is now on a decline,” noted the DOH. (SunStar Philippines)