‘Food poisoning’ downs 63 from party

PANGLAO, BOHOL, Philippines – At least 63 persons, most of them children, were brought to the hospitals in Tagbilaran City on Monday allegedly due to food poisoning after a children’s party at Barangay Looc, this town last Saturday.

A certain Sandra Estologa, told DyTR radio last night that, for the birthday party of her daughter, she prepared some foods such as spaghetti, ice cream, hot dog and fried chicken. The party was attended by many barangay residents.

Estologa said she was later informed that most of those who were at the party later suffered headache, vomiting and stomach ache.

One of the 63 victims was taken to a private hospital, while the rest were confined at the Governo Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City. They were still being under close observation by physicians.

Why the delayed hospitalization? Estologa said the victims, while suffering from the symptoms, initially did not bother to go to the hospital until Monday when they could no longer bore the pains.

Looc Barangay Chairman Reynaldo Guioguio personally assisted and helped monitor the victims. He said the victims in dextrose were crowded in wards due to lack of rooms at the hospital.

Hospital authorities could not be reached for comment about the condition of the patients and the cause of the “food poisoning,” as of last night.

Last week in Ubay town, 48 pupils of the Villa Teresita Elementary School were hospitalized after eating pop rice, locally known as “ampao.”

Police Officer 3 Lemuel Reyes told The FREEMAN that 13 of the victims were taken to the Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital in Ubay, while 35 others were put under observation.

The pupils, after eating the ampao, suffered from vomiting, headache and stomach ache, but the police report did not show who was responsible in preparing, cooking and selling the pop rice, made of cooked rice and caramel. (FREEMAN)