After 169 people were hospitalized last week with diarrhea in Barangay Looc, Sibulan, reportedly resulting from the presence of e.coli in the local drinking water, the Negros Oriental Department of Health (DOH) said the situation is “under control.”

According to Indira Requiron-Puspus, senior administrative assistant for Sibulan Mayor Jose Abiera, water tested by the Sibulan Water District came out positive for e.coli, resulting in the town conducting mass chlorination.

Follow-up testing provided a negative result.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, e.coli can be contracted through contaminated water or food.

Recently, beaches in Vancouver, Canada were found to have high levels of e.coli, which was said to have occured due to high temperatures and a lack of water circulation.

For the time being, swimmers have been asked not to venture into the water./WDJ