VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon(October 9) — A suspected Hepatitis A outbreak is putting a Bukidnon community on alert, with 73 suspected cases under investigation and confirmed infections in one barangay more than doubling in recent days.
Most of those suspected to be infected are young people aged 10 to 19, prompting health officials to step up surveillance and sanitation measures in Barangay Lurugan.
During an emergency meeting of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Wednesday, City Health Officer Dr. Michael Escalante reported that confirmed cases in Lurugan had increased from six to 14.
Two additional cases were confirmed in neighboring Barangay San Carlos.
But health officials have yet to determine where the infections are coming from or how the virus is spreading.
The City Health Office is conducting case investigations and active surveillance while authorities work to identify possible sources of contamination.
Hepatitis A is commonly spread through food or water contaminated with the virus, making access to safe water, proper sanitation and good hygiene critical in containing transmission.
As a precaution, the city government has temporarily suspended food vending by ambulant vendors in the affected area while comprehensive sanitation inspections are conducted.
The city is also deploying two water tanks to provide clean water for sanitation, particularly in school restrooms.
The measures are especially important as many of the suspected cases involve students and other young people who regularly use schools and other shared facilities.
Authorities have not linked the suspected infections to any particular food, water source or nearby activity, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Aron Apostol Rempohito, chief of the Valencia City Public Information and Assistance Division, urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information about the cases.
He advised the public to rely on official updates from the Valencia City Government and City Health Office.
For families in Lurugan and surrounding communities, the immediate concern is clear: find the source, secure safe water and sanitation, and prevent the suspected outbreak from reaching more children and families.
