13 Iloilo pupils hospitalized after taking vitamins given by classmate

ILOILO CITY – Thirteen grade four pupils of San Enrique Elementary School in San Enrique town in Iloilo were hospitalized on Wednesday in an apparent case of poisoning.

Information gathered from the area disclosed that the pupils felt dizzy and vomited after taking a food supplement given to them by their classmate after they took their lunch.

According to one informant who lives near the school campus who refused to be identified, the pupils had their lunch. After their lunch one of the unnamed classmate offered them to take an imported vitamins. The pupils then lined up for the vitamins.

After more than an hour the pupils suffered dizziness and vomiting which prompted school authorities to bring the pupils to Don Valerio Palmares Memorial District Hospital in nearby Passi City for treatment.

Dr. Jessie Glen Alonsabe, Head of Regional Epidemiology Center of Department of Health (DOH) 6, is currently gathering data on the incident. This incident comes as the City of Iloilo is busy for the preparation of its hosting of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit next week which will be attended by not less than 1,000 delegates from all over Asia-Pacific Region.

This is the fifth case of poisoning in Iloilo province after 8 were hospitalized after eating jelly roll in Oton last June; 105 wedding guest were downed after eating in the reception in Estancia last July; at least 4 pupils were downed after eating chocolate candy in Pavia also in July and 47 partygoers were hospitalized in Sta. Barbara after eating food serve in a birthday party last August.