BAGUIO CITY – The City Health Services Office has recorded 2,199 cases of acute gastroenteritis as of 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 11.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong declared an outbreak after 1,609 acute gastroenteritis incidents were recorded here on Wednesday, January 10.

Magalong said that he and his family were also victims of gastroenteritis.

But Magalong said he expects that the outbreak will end soon with the safety and prevention measures adopted by food establishments and households here.

He said 45 patients were admitted to the hospital as of 10 p.m. on January 10 without serious infection.

Magalong said the 14 tourists affected by acute gastroenteritis and confined to the hospital would be treated for free.

He said water samples from suspected sources are being analyzed.

Twenty-eight were submitted, of which 16 have and 12 are awaiting results. Sixteen samples tested negative for thermotolerant coliform organism and will undergo viral testing at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City.

City Health Officer Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes said that most cases occurred from January 2 to 8.

Of the total number of cases, 492 sought consultations at health facilities with 64.4 percent symptomatic. Most or 63.6 percent dined in a food establishment, 13.2 percent ordered takeout food, 11.2 percent consumed home-cooked meals, and 12 percent had other reasons.

The Baguio Water District which supplies water to this city is conducting rapid testing of their 67 water sources.

Magalong called on officials in neighboring town to conduct an examination of their water to prevent more cases.

Tourists and residents were advised to refrain from drinking tap water.

"As long as we do not contain this virus, the outbreak will remain, so everyone should be careful about their health. Health authorities are relentless in their investigation and analysis to find out the cause and origin of this," said Magalong.