BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – A five-year-old girl died while 26 others were hospitalized after drinking spoiled coconut juice in Calatrava, Negros Occidental, officials said on Monday.
Among those taken to different hospitals on Dec. 18 were 19 children.
Provincial health officer Ernell Tumimbang said the juice was served during a Christmas party for Grade 2 pupils at the Dolis Elementary School on Dec. 16.
One of the pupils brought the juice home and gave it to her younger sister, who died two days after the party at their home in Barangay Maaslob.
Tumimbang said the girl developed a fever and vomited after she drank the juice. The parents did not bring her to the doctor.
On the same day, the other pupils, mostly aged seven to eight, were hospitalized due to dehydration, stomach pain, and fever.
Tumimbang said the children vomited and suffered diarrhea.
Twenty patients were treated at the Calatrava District Hospital while six others were brought to San Carlos City Hospital.
Tumimbang said the patients were given intravenous fluid, electrolytes and antibiotics after laboratory results showed they had bacterial infection.
A report from the Calatrava health office said the coconut juice – which was mixed with coconut meat, milk and sugar – was prepared at around 9 a.m. and was not refrigerated before it was served for lunch.
Health officials expressed belief those who prepared the juice did not observe proper sanitation.
Tumimbang said the patients remained confined as of yesterday.