Diarrheal Illness Remains on Alert as Surveillance Continues in EpiWeek 39

Wednesday, October 07, 2026 /// DYCA PIO

Yap FM - During EpiWeek 39, 415 patient encounters were documented, with Diarrhea remaining on Alert status for the 6th consecutive week.

Diarrhea: This week, 15 diarrheal cases were reported—unchanged from last week—across OPD Main Hospital (9), Tamil CHC (1), Gagil CHC (3), and Ifalik Dispensary (2). Of these, 5 were GI BioFire-tested; all were positive, with a single detection of EAEC in 1 patient and a total of 4 Rotavirus co-infecting with 1 to 5 of the following; Adenovirus (2), Salmonella (1), Clostridioides difficile toxin A/B (1), EAEC (1), EPEC (3), and ETEC (2).

Influenza-Like Illness (ILI): ILI cases have increased for two consecutive weeks but remain below threshold, with 14 reported: OPD Main Hospital (7), Gagil CHC (6), and Ulithi Health Center in Falalop (1). No laboratory tests were conducted this week.

Dengue-Like Illness (DLI): Two DLI cases were reported at OPD Main Hospital this week, with no positive laboratory results.

The Epidemic Curve below shows that the diarrheal outbreak began increasing substantially after EpiWeek 33, peaked at 90 reported cases in Week 35, and has subsequently declined. However, weekly cases remained above the established alert threshold, indicating ongoing transmission and the need for continued surveillance and prevention activities.

(For more information, please contact the Department of Health Services at 350-2110)