Rock fish downs six in Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines - Six members of a family in Lapu-Lapu City are now confined at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center after they succumbed to food poisoning reportedly after eating rock fish, locally known as “donsol” last Saturday.

The victims were identified as Abunjo Gulbe, 53; Renato Gulbie, 33; Junalyn Rumbo, 31; Jomari Resalino, 29; Climaco Gulbie, 24; and Mary Jane Rumbo, 10; all residents of sitio Soong, barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City.   Investigation revealed that Abunjo was the one who caught the rock fish from the sea, which the family shared for dinner last Saturday.

Around 4am the next day, several of those who ate the fish started vomiting and experienced dehydration.

By 6am, Abunjo was brought to the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital while Mary Jane, Junalyn, and Jomari were brought shortly before 8am. Renato and Climaco followed 30 minutes after.

However, due to persistence of vomiting and dehydration, the hospital decided to transfer the patients to VSMMC in Cebu City.   Dr. Alemir Almirante, physician of Lapu-Lapu City, said Mary Jane manifested the most symptoms, including low urine output. 

Almirante said what happened to the six family members is reportedly a rare case of food poisoning owing to the occurrence of “systematic effects” like improper malfunctioning of the heart and kidney shutdown.

Experts at VSMMC are currently determining the kind of toxins present in the fish to provide the right antidote to the poison. — Mark Z. Gantuangco, CNU Masscom Intern/JMO (THE FREEMAN)