Health officials in the province have to brace for incidents of food poisoning coming one after the other in barely a week.
A day after the report on food poisoning in Ubay, another incident had been reported in Panglao.
At least 62 residents of Purok 5 in barangay Looc, Panglao had been down after eating spaghetti, pancit, fried chicken, hotdogs, and ice-cream served during a neighbor’s birthday party on Saturday morning.
Half of them had been confined at Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital on Monday, except for one who was brought to Ramiro Community Hospital, while half of the victims just had to be treated at the out-patient department.
The victims complained of stomachache, diarrhea, and headache about two hours after the birthday celebration of Sandra Estologa’s youngest daughter.
Some pupils of Looc Elementary School who are the birthday celebrator’s friends, although the latter is not a pupil of the school, were among those who were admitted to the hospital.
The victims decided to seek assistance from barangay officials when they continued to suffer from diarrhea until Monday morning.
Looc Barangay Captain Reginaldo Guio-guio requested the use of the municipality’s ambulance and escorted them to GCGMH in Tagbilaran City.
The teachers at Looc Elementary School noticed that several pupils had been absent on Monday and later learned of the incident.
Even Estologa, 32, who hosted the celebration, was not spared and was among those brought to GCGMH, while her husband’s auntie managed to get over through some home remedies.
Among those admitted to GCGMH were Dahla Krizza Cloma, 5; Cruzil Jean Cloma, 10; Bianca Joy Guibone, 10; Mark Gil Sarahina, 6; Jerome Co, 6; Blesel Jane Co, 8; Michelle Jane Arbuyes, 12; Cyril Mae Arbuyes, 9; Jocelee Arbuyes, 6; James Arubyes, 10; Michelle Ann Fudolig; 9; John Christian Fudolig, 4; Raul Fudolig Jr., 7; Claire Estologa, 10; Allen Iverson Estologa, 2; Denster Ivan Guibone, 10; Kurt Stephen Guibone, 10; Sherlyn Guibone, 12; Jarell Guibone, 9; Donna Mae Habla, 17; Edrick Corpin, 10; Ronald Gulac, 31; Junila Estologa, 5; Jillan France de Guzman, 7; Jasper Bollas, 6; Ivy Burgos, 15; Nico Verano, 9; Pearl Anita Talili, 18; Kean Kyle Mantahinay, 2; and Irene Abendan, 13.
Leah Lico, 29, was admitted at Ramiro Community Hospital.
Those treated at the out-patient department were Jannica Mariz Cayabyab, 19; Jade Denissee Monzolin, 10; Marivic Sarahina, 13; Athena Grace Co, 13; Nancy Gulac, 40; Grant John Estologa, 12; John Alwyn Guibone, 8; Allezer Corpin, 8; Althea Rose Gulac, 19; Jennelyn Estologa, 7; Marley Hora, 16; Andrea Clenuar, 9; Lucresia Guibone, 71; Dinaflor Guibone, 40; Maico Lico, 4; Ian Furmegones, 3; Issa Joy Furmegones, 5; Vina Bulias, 17; Benedict Talico, 61; Jonel Lico, 25; Reah Arbuyes, 13; John Floyd Lustre, 17; Lucy Bodiongan, 35; John Saint Lupio, 6; Chemly Lupio, 2; Nestor Verano Jr., 8; Nicole Verano, 11; Vincent Hora, 14; Jose Angelo Serdiña, 2; Ansel Bariquit, 22; and Marcelo Estologa, 42.
The host, Sandra Estologa, said it must be the spaghetti that caused it, which she and a neighbor, Lucrecia Guibone, prepared at around 11 p.m. on Friday for her daughter’s birthday party the following day.
Just last Friday, 85 pupils of Villa Teresita Elementary School were rushed to Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital after complaining of stomachache and later started vomiting.
The pupils just ate home-made ampao during recess time in the morning that was sold by a mother who was waiting for her child outside the school premises.
Municipal officials of Ubay continued to investigate the incident.
Concerned citizens sought the intervention of health officials in the province to launch an information campaign on food preparation to avoid a repeat of the incidents.