Mass Diarrhea in Pacitan Hits 290 Cases a Week, 42 Need Medical Treatment

Illustration of stomach pain or diarrhea. (Unsplash-Yuris)

Pacitan Regency Health Office, East Java, is handling a mass diarrhea case experienced by hundreds of its citizens in Sudimoro District within a week or from January 12-19, 2026, with 42 of them requiring intensive medical services.

Head of the Pacitan Health Office, Daru Mustikoaji, said that hundreds of reports were the result of the initial monitoring of health center surveillance officers based on subjective reports from the community and parents through the school.

"Of the total reports received, only 42 cases actually require medical treatment. All patients have now been declared cured," said Daru in Pacitan, Saturday, quoted by Antara.

He explained that in the data book there were 290 reports including mild complaints such as nausea and vomiting without acute diarrhea symptoms. Data collection was carried out massively to obtain an initial overview of the epidemiological conditions in the field.

According to Daru, the spike in cases of digestive disorders was first detected on Monday, January 12, and reached its peak on Monday, January 19, with vulnerable age groups such as toddlers and schoolchildren being the first groups affected.

"We are conducting this thorough data collection so that the interventions taken are targeted and able to prevent further spread," he said.

As a follow-up, the Pacitan Health Office took water samples from the residents' water sources in Sudimoro District for laboratory examination.

"We sent water samples to the Surabaya Health Laboratory to conduct microbiological examinations, as well as to laboratories in Jakarta for virological tests," said Daru.

In addition, the Pacitan Health Office also carried out mass chlorination of residents' water sources to reduce the potential for bacteria that cause digestive disorders.