Victims of poisoning safe

CEBU, Philippines - Health officials have declared all victims of Thursday’s “binangkal” food poisoning in San Fernando, Cebu as safe and out of danger.

Integrated Provincial Health Office Chief, Dr. Cristina Giango, said that the patients were already discharged.

Dr. Macapagal Abdul of Carcar Provincial Hospital in Carcar City confirmed that as of 4:50 in the afternoon the ten victims were already discharged from the hospital. Two are still confined but they are set to be discharged anytime.

Abdul, a pediatrician, confirmed to The FREEMAN that all minors confined were discharged yesterday. They were Zenna Jhedes Bernabe, 2; Lady Love dela Peña, 9; Daryl Ganayas, 11; Ian Genon, 7; Andre Jafit Genon, 9; Khenjee Alinsonoren, 12; John Icey Genayas, 12; Calnesim Mancao, 15; and Blessvi Mae dela Cerna, 13.

 The adults were Brian Kim Bernabe, 22; Alyssa Kim Alipoyo, 20; and Cristita Bernabe, 69. All of them came from Barangay Greenhills, San Fernando.

 Giango said that they cannot determine yet the cause of the food poisoning. She said that samples of raw materials like the flour and the “binangkal,” a local bread with sesame seeds, were already sent to the Bureau of Foods and Drugs for analysis.

Even a sample of flour from the grocery store where the baking material was bought was also sent, said Giango.

“Ingon sa nagbuhat sa binangkal pagtilaw kuno niya mura’g naa jud kuno laing lami, nya mura kuno mamaak sa dila, nagduda sad siya nganong mura’g halanghalang na naa laing lami,” Giango told reporters. (The cook noticed something wrong with the taste.)

The victims were rushed to Carcar City District Hospital after they complained of headache and stomachache minutes after eating.

The Department of Health (DOH) is reminding the public to go back to the basics of proper handling and preparation of food to avoid poisoning.

DOH Regional Director Asuncion Anden advised the public to practice proper handling and preparation of food, such as ensuring that food ingredients or raw materials are fresh and properly washed.

DOH-7 local health supervisor Angelita Salarda, in a press conference yesterday, said that samples of the “binangkal” were already submitted for laboratory examination. Results are expected to be released by next week.

Cristita Bernabe said she cooked the bread last Wednesday because her friends ordered several pieces. Some of the victims are her grandchildren and relatives.

 According to Cristita, one of her grandchildren complained that the bread tasted bitter but she did not mind thinking that they were overcooked. However, 30 minutes later, they all complained of stomachache and headache while some were already vomiting.

Because of the incident, the DOH also reminded ambulant vendors or other food handlers to have health certificates issued by the Local Government Units (LGUs). She also reminded the LGU health workers to closely monitor the proper food handling and preparations of food.— (FREEMAN)