BAGUIO CITY – Local health officials renewed their warning against food and waterborne illnesses that commonly spike during the rainy season, urging both residents and tourists to be extra cautious about what they eat and drink.

“It is important that what we eat is safe, the water we drink is safe,” said Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, City Health Officer of Baguio, in a media interview. “That goes not only to residents of Baguio but to visitors who come and go to the city.”

Brillantes noted that around 150 cases of diarrhea have been recorded in recent months, with a noticeable uptick in the last two weeks, though no clustering or severe complications were reported.

“We aim for zero cases, which is why we are constantly monitoring hospitals and communities,” she said.

The city is stepping up precautions to avoid a repeat of the diarrhea outbreak from December 2024 to January 2025, which saw over 3,000 cases and prompted officials to revisit Baguio’s sanitation and water codes.

Following last year’s outbreak, water delivery trucks in the city are now required to have chlorination systems to ensure the potability of their supply. Water refilling stations and deep well operators are also mandated to submit monthly water testing results, while the city’s sanitation division conducts surprise inspections.

“We ask for the cooperation of owners of water delivery establishments to comply with the rules,” Brillantes said.

She also urged residents to report leaking septic tanks and sewer lines to authorities, as these could contribute to contamination.

Meanwhile, sanitation inspector Zachary Reydon Flores from the Health Services Office emphasized the importance of proper food handling, especially for those in the food industry.

“Proper hand washing and sanitized preparation areas are key,” Flores said. “The most common way viruses and bacteria are transmitted is through our hands, which is why hand hygiene is essential.”

He added that food safety training is required for food handlers to help prevent the spread of diseases during the rainy season. (Info courtesy of PNA)