Cassava delicacy downs 24 in Negros

BACOLOD CITY — Twenty-four youth campers of the Mountain Baptist Churches were rushed yesterday to the district hospital of Cauayan town in Negros Occidental after they complained of vomiting, dizziness and itchiness following a breakfast of spoiled alupi, a local cassava delicacy.

Seven were admitted while the others were treated as out-patients, Dr. Narra Escaran of the Cauayan District Hospital said, adding that they are still under observation although they were noted to be recovering fast.

Escaran added that many of them felt better after undergoing "lavage," a medical procedure wherein a tube is inserted through the nose to the stomach to expel any toxins from the body.

Those who were admitted were Mylen Sibugan, 17; Gellan Togado, 17; Benjie Alfonso, 16; Remely Jayme, 22; Emding Rivera, 21 and brother Julian, 17 and cousin Ermito Rivera, 18.

All the victims are residents of the neighboring Kabankalan City.

Escaran said that a certain Cecilia Belnas went to the camp to sell the delicacies at 6 a.m. yesterday. The seven who were admitted ate the whole delicacy, but the other 17 took only small bites after they tasted something bitter, she said.

Escaran however assured this was an isolated case.

The vendor, who was not named, is known to the locals and even the hospital staff buy food from her, she said.