Buko pandan downs 44 in Naga

CEBU, Philippines - At least 44 people, including 18 children, were hospitalized because of food poisoning in Barangay Naalad, City of Naga last Saturday.

The victims were admitted at the Minglanilla District Hospital since Sunday. Teresita Sayson, chief nurse of Minglanilla District Hospital, said that as of 2:30 p.m. yesterday 18 children and 26 adults have been admitted and were placed under observation after exhibiting symptoms of poisoning.

Among those hospitalized was Memorito Yanong, 45, who prepared the buko pandan salad believed to have caused the poisoning.

All victims had eaten the dessert he prepared for their barangay's annual fiesta celebration last Saturday.

Yanong said he observed proper hygiene in the preparation of the salad but was not sure if the other ingredients he used were not expired.

"Pagkabuntag sa pista kay nagpasaka mi og lubi, dayun mao to among gisagul sa salad. Wala sad mi nagtan-aw sa expiration date sa gatas, hinuon naa ra ang mga lata sa balay, sa pila na ka tuig nga mo-celebrar mi og pista, karun ra gyud ni nahitabo," Yanong said.

Naalad Barangay Captain Sandra Cañalita has already brought a sample of the salad to the city health office for examination.

The sample will be sent to the Department of Health for further examination.

Nemesio Alfanta, 18, one of the victims who came from Colon, Inayagan, said he was with his basketball teammates to celebrate the fiesta and were able to partake the salad prepared by Yanong.

"Lima mi sa team unya naospital sad mi, nikaon man mi ato ug humba unya salad pud. Katong salad kay parat-parat man to nikaon ra sad ko, isa ka cup," Alfanta said.

At 4 p.m. on Sunday he started complaining of stomachache and was already suffering from loose bowel movement. Another victim, Rafaela Sayaboc, 65, said she was suspicious of the salad because of its smell.

"Lain man sad to siya ug baho gamay raman sad akong gikaon ato, karun akong gibati kay kapoy gyud kaayo akong lawas," she said.

Dr. Andres Gestopa, city health officer, said it was clearly a case food poisoning.

"Basta daghan ang magkalibanga, same event, same food, i-identify gyud na nga food poisoning," Gestopa said.

James Cañete, sanitary inspector of the Provincial Health Office, said the victims were complaining of persistent vomiting and diarrhea after eating the dessert, which was reportedly unrefrigerated since Friday.

Provincial health officer Cynthia Genosolango noted that they have been constantly warning the public against consuming food which are already exposed to heat for a long period of time.

She said her office has yet to receive official report from the hospital in Minglanilla. The PHO has fielded a team to provide medicines for the victims.

Genosolango further directed the district hospital in Minglanilla to refer patients who are at "high risk" such as elderly and infants to the provincial or city hospitals for more intensive care.-- with May B. Miasco and Dwight M. Getuaban, CNU intern/FPL (FREEMAN)