Is your drinking-water safe? A rotavirus outbreak linked to water refilling stations in the Philippines, 2016

Authors

  • Nino Dacanay Rebato FETP Philippines; Department of Health, Philippines
  • Vikki Carr de los Reyes Department of Health, Philippines
  • Ma. Nemia Sucaldito Department of Health, Philippines
  • Gretchen Marin Department of Health, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2017.8.1.007

Abstract

Introduction: In April 2016, the Department of Health in Zamboanga Peninsula reported an increase in the number of acute gastroenteritis cases reported from Zamboanga City. An epidemiologic investigation was conducted to verify the existence of an outbreak, determine source/mode of transmission and recommend control measures.

Methods: A line list of cases was compiled from the 11 hospitals within Zamboanga City and a case-series study was conducted. Suspected cases were any persons from Zamboanga City who had three or more episodes of acute diarrhoea within 24 hours from 15 March to 29 May 2016. Confirmed cases were suspected cases with active symptoms during the investigation who had a stool sample collected with rotavirus detected. Water samples were also collected for viral detection.

Results: There were 2936 suspected cases with 22 deaths (case fatality rate: 0.75%), an age range of 8 days to 89 years (median: 2 years), with those aged less than 5 years the most affected age group (1903/2936, 65%). The majority were males (1549/2936, 53%). From the 138 active case patients included in the case-series study, the majority reported contact with a family member who had diarrhoea (89/138, 64%) and using water refilling stations as their major source of drinking-water (88/134, 64%). Of the 93 stool specimens collected, 56 (60%) were positive for rotavirus. Five samples from water refilling stations where case patients reported collecting drinking-water were all positive for rotavirus.

Discussion: Strict regulation of water refilling stations and boiling drinking-water in households were implemented, immediately controlling the outbreak. After complying with all the requirements set by the Department of Health, a water safety certificate was awarded to Zamboanga City in September 2018.

Author Biography

Nino Dacanay Rebato, FETP Philippines; Department of Health, Philippines

FETP Fellow in PHILIPPINE FETP

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Published

20-02-2019

How to Cite

1.
Rebato ND, de los Reyes VC, Sucaldito MN, Marin G. Is your drinking-water safe? A rotavirus outbreak linked to water refilling stations in the Philippines, 2016. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2019 Feb. 20 [cited 2024 Dec. 7];10(1). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/535

Issue

Section

Outbreak Investigation Report

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