Buko salad downs 35 birthday guests

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines  – At least 35 people, mostly kindergarten pupils and their parents, experienced symptoms of food poisoning after eating buko salad in a birthday party in a remote village in northwest Cagayan the other day, reports said.

The Cagayan health office in Tuguegarao City reported that the victims from Alinuno village in Abulug town were rushed to the district hospital in nearby Ballesteros town after experiencing stomach pain.

Dr. Danilo Alonzo, Caga­yan provincial health officer, could not be contacted for updates.

Reports said 19 of the victims have been discharged from the hospital.