Poisoning victims out of hospital

CEBU, Philippines - Authorities yesterday said that 32 residents of Sitio Torralba, Barangay Apas who were rushed to the hospital last Sunday evening after exhibiting symptoms of food poisoning were already discharged from the hospital yesterday after attending physicians declared them already out of danger.

Apas barangay captain Ramil Ayuman said the first patients who had already recovered were released from the hospital a few hours after they were admitted to the Cebu City Medical Center and all of them were already discharged as of 5 a.m. yesterday.

It was reported earlier that 45 residents had experienced vomiting and had loose bowel movement but only 32 of them were taken to the hospital.

Ayuman said the victims, four adults and the rest are minors, all ate “puto cheese” that were baked on Friday and sold cheap on Sunday.

He said they already sent the sample of the food to the City Health Department yesterday morning that will then forward the food sample to the Bureau of Food and Drugs in Luzon for examination.

City health’s initial findings, according to Ayuman, showed that the spoiled puto cheese contained bacteria that cause the food poisoning.

Presently, Ayuman said they are already processing the papers for the victims to receive medical assistance from North District Congressman Raul del Mar.

Barangay health workers said the victims ate puto cheese allegedly sold by Ada Bartolata on Saturday at P8 each. They were then sold at P10 for three pieces on Sunday and were later given for free to the victims. —Niña G. Sumacot/WAB (THE FREEMAN)