The cholera bacterium may be behind the clustering of gastroenteritis cases in eight (8) barangays of San Andres, local health authorities say, with the intestinal infection leading to the death of an 11-month-old baby in Belmonte.
A reliable source at the Provincial Health Office said that while sample specimens taken from a few patients will be sent to the Regional Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) with results expected late this week but early indications allegedly point to suspected cholera.
The suspected pathogen is Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, which contaminates water sources through fecal matter.
Mayor Aly Romano has confirmed the death of an 11-month-old baby as he urged affected residents to immediately seek consultation with the Rural Health Unit or the Juan M. Alberto Memorial Hospital once they suffer symptoms such as loose bowel movement, nausea, vomiting, fever and body pain.
He said that the municipal government is closely monitoring the situation while intensifying its health information campaign to constituents to observe proper handwashing, especially before eating and after using the toilet, and boiling of drinking water to prevent the spread of the disease.
To assist the local health facilities in addressing the situation, the PHO has already provided assistance to JMAMDH where a Diarrhea Fast Lane has been opened to give consultations and assess possible cases.
A report from the PHO, based on information provided by the JMAMDH, stated that a total of 36 individuals has been confined in four hospitals: 12 at JMAMDH, 10 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Hospital, nine (9) at Eastern Bicol Medical Center, and five (5) at Catanduanes Doctors Hospital, Inc.
Last April 29, 2026, the Local Health Board (LHB), with officer-in-charge Councilor Joal Cocjin presiding in the mayor’s absence, tackled the alarming spike in gastro cases.
Municipal Health Officer Dr. Kristine Santelices explained that gastroenteritis, or most commonly known as stomach flu, pertains to the inflammation of the stomach lining and intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasite from contaminated food or water.
Likewise, she highlighted the importance of Oresol for effective treatment and rehydration.
The board issued an urgent appeal to all residents to prioritize health by staying well-hydrated, strictly consuming only clean and safe drinking water, and rigorously practicing proper hygiene.
According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), increasing number of cases over a period of three days were noted in Belmonte with seven (7), followed by Wagdas with four (4), Timbaan with three (3), and Asgad, Lictin, Bislig, Sapang Palay and Esperanza with two (2) cases each.
The other villages with single cases were Carangag, Divino Rostro, Alibuag, Salvacion, Cabcab, San Isidro, Sta. Cruz, and Codon.
Mayor Romano said in a statement that authorities have already began water testing and analysis in the affected barangays to determine the possible cause of the increase in diarrhea cases.
A source told the Tribune that analysis of water samples taken from two sources in Lictin and Divino Rostro have tested positive for the presence of coliform bacteria, which is a key indicator of fecal contamination.
Personnel of the local government have been deployed in the field to trace where the patients got their drinking water.
The outbreak has drawn attention to a persistent public health gap in San Andres. Only four of the municipality’s 38 barangays have been certified by the Department of Health as Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) barangays — the second lowest among Catanduanes’ 11 municipalities.
Only Caramoran fares worse, with none of its 27 barangays holding ZOD certification. Across the island, only Bagamanoc and Panganiban are fully ZOD-certified municipalities, while Viga awaits its formal declaration.
Open defecation is a primary driver of waterborne disease outbreaks, as human waste seeps into groundwater and surface water supplies, especially during heavy rains.
The last time a cholera outbreak occurred in the island province was in 2012 with a total of 1,370 validated cases and 18 deaths.
Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, typically spread through water or food contaminated by fecal matter.
It causes severe watery diarrhea and vomiting that can lead to dangerous dehydration — and death — within hours if untreated. Up to 80 percent of cases can be successfully treated with oral rehydration salts, making early medical attention critical.
The Philippines is considered a cholera-endemic country by the World Health Organization. In 2022 alone, the Department of Health recorded 5,860 cholera cases nationwide from January through late November, with 67 deaths — a case fatality rate of 1.1 percent.
That year’s cases were driven in part by the disruption of water systems after natural disasters. Across the country, poor access to sanitation has been consistently identified as the key driver of cholera incidence. (With a report from Bryce McIntyre)