Luistro seeks caution in reportage of food poisoning

MANILA, Philippines - Education Secretary Armin Luistro urged the public and the media to be careful in spreading reports on food poisoning to avoid causing undue panic, especially among students.

Sought for comment on reports that thousands of students were hospitalized after the nationwide deworming program of the Department of Health (DOH) last week, Luistro said he has asked health officials to look into the matter more closely.

“I’m a little concerned,” he said. “I’m not sure if it’s really food poisoning, bad stomach or mass hysteria.”

Luistro asked the media to be careful in reporting such cases, saying there have been instances when reports result in panic among parents and students.

“Children are impressionable,” he added, citing possible instances of children complaining – after learning about others who fell ill – even when they experience no symptoms.

The education chief said such cases could be problematic, as those who have legitimate concerns may not be immediately attended to due to the large number of patients.

The DOH earlier said the side effects being experienced by some students were normal indications that the deworming tablets are working.

Health officials also denied reports that they distributed expired tablets during the nationwide campaign.

Luistro said they would continue to coordinate with DOH to ensure that no similar incident will happen in the future.

“If we do it again next year, we will have more information about possible side effects,” said Luistro, saying this will ensure that the students will not panic if they feel the side effects of the deworming tablets.

“That will be the improvement in the plan,” he said.