10 food poisoning victims test positive for amoeba

CEBU, Philippines - Ten out of the 44 victims of food poisoning in Barangay Naalad, City of Naga tested positive for the amoeba.

Those patients who tested negative of the bacteria during stool examination are not necessarily safe, said Naga City Health Doctor Andres Gestopa.

At least 44 people, including 18 children, were admitted and placed under observation at the Minglanilla District Hospital on Sunday after exhibiting symptoms of poisoning.

Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pains and fever.

 "Kanang amoebiasis, kagaw na siya sa tae, probably gikan sa water, kanang waterborne ug air borne, and kana sa'ng food where it can lead to chronic diarrhea, kanang grabi nga kalibang basta dili matambalan dayon. It can also lead to dehydration basta grabi pud ang pagsuka," said Gestopa.

Gestopa said that there is high probability that a person may also acquire amoebiasis if the one who prepares the food is contaminated.

However, barangay tanod Memorito Yanong, 45, the one who prepared the fruit salad that the victims ate, tested negative for the amoeba during the stool examination.

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

Gestopa said they collected samples of the water and ice cube used by Yanong in preparing the food to determine the source of virus.

The samples were referred to the Provincial Health Office for examination.

To avoid amoebiasis, Gestopa said water should be purified and should contain fluorine or must be boiled before drinking.

"Kanang pungko-pungko, likayan na ninyo kay kung pataka mo og kaon, masakit jud mo," he said.

He added that anyone should wash his or her hands first before eating.

"Pwede man 'ni siya mosaka ang bacteria sa utok, pero kasagaran sa atay jud ni siya motapot, ma-complicate imong intestines," Gestopa further informed.

For those who tested negative of the bacteria, Gestopa said further examination and proper medication for early prevention are still being undertaken.

A sample of the fruit salad was already sent by the PHO to the Department of Science and Technology on Wednesday for further examination. — (FREEMAN)