Food poisoning kills 1, downs four in Oslob

CEBU, Philippines - One died and four others were confined in a hospital after they ate what turned out to be a poisonous fish at midday of Wednesday in Barangay Cansaloay, Oslob.

A couple and three of their neighbors were rushed to the Oslob District Hospital about ten minutes after they ate orbicular batfish boiled in vinegar and spices or what Cebuanos call “inun-unan.”

The said fish is related to the puffer fish family, which contains toxins.

Epitacio Perolino, 37, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital while the four other victims were confined for vomiting and for suffering stomach pains.

Perolino’s wife Angelita, 32, Consuelo Perolino, 65, Max Pilosopo, 35, and Juanita Estinor, 32, were later discharged by the attending physician.

It was Pilosopo who reportedly bought a kilo of orbicular batfish at the Oslob public market that morning and decided to cook it at the couple’s house.

Pilosopo then invited Estinor and Consuelo for lunch.

PO2 Johnny Tapales of the Oslob Police Station said ten minutes had lapsed when Epitacio vomited and collapsed. Angelita sought the help from a neighbor who rushed them to the hospital.

Tapales said only half kilo of the fish was cooked as the other half kilo was still being prepared for another dish.

“Duna pa’y gi-asinan sa plato basin sugbaonon pa to,” he said. (They might have been preparing to grill the rest.)

A sample of the food was taken by Arnel Samson, municipal sanitary health inspector, which will be submitted to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-7 for examination.

Allan Poquita, assistant regional director of the BFAR-7, told The FREEMAN that orbicular batfish has ‘tetrodo toxin’ in its toxin bag that can poison humans.

He said that once an orbicular batfish is in rigor mortis stage its toxin will release from the toxin bag and mixes with the flesh and organs.

Poquita clarified that there are people who can eat these fish and yet not be poisoned – those who have an active lifestyle. The children, the elderly and those with weak immune system are prone to poisoning.

“Ang resistant nga maigo igo magsuka lang pero kasagaran mao nang tambalan ug tuno sa lubi pero ang dili mamatay gyud,” Poquita explained. (The strong ones would just suffer from vomiting and others take coconut milk.) (FREEMAN)