Duque: Imelda’s party guests should get treatment if symptoms of food poisoning show

MANILA, Philippines – People who attended and ate food at the birthday party of former First Lady Imelda Marcos are advised by Health Secretary Francisco Duque on Thursday to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms of food poisoning.

Duque said the party guests should look out for signs like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, weakness, fever, and chills.

“This is in light of the suspected case of mass food poisoning affecting 261 individuals after they consumed a packed lunch of chicken adobo, boiled egg, and rice, distributed during the said event,” Duque said in a statement.

According to reports on Wednesday, Marcos held her 90th birthday party at the Ynares Sports Complex in Pasig City with around 2,000 people in attendance.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said they have attended to 137 individuals who experienced vomiting and dizziness, but hospitals in the city said they have admitted a total of 261 persons.

READ: Suspected food poisoning downs 261 guests at Imelda’s party

Duque also gave a breakdown of hospitals where the suspected food poisoning victims were brought.  He also assured that the hospitals are well-equipped to handle the cases, while the patients will be placed on 48-hour hydration procedures to facilitate their recovery.

“These individuals were admitted at different hospitals within the Mandaluyong-Pasig-Marikina area – Medical City, 100 patients; Rizal Medical Center, 43; Victor Potenciano Hospital, 23, Pasig City General Hospital, 40; Cardinal Santos Medical Center, 20; Tri-City Medical Center, 20; Mandaluyong Medical Center, 5; Ospital ng Makati, 4; and Amang Rodriguez Medical Center, 6,” he noted.

Former Senator Bongbong Marcos, Imelda’s son, has apologized for the incident, vowing to help the hospitalized guests.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)

READ: Bongbong Marcos apologizes after ‘food poisoning’ at Imelda’s party