101 pupils in Iloilo ill with food poisoning – report

ILOILO CITY — Health authorities are looking into a case of suspected food poisoning that affected 101 pupils of an elementary school in Carles town, Iloilo.

Dr. Ma. Soccoro Quiñon, assistant Provincial Health Officer (PHO), said she received a report on Monday afternoon about the case of 101 pupils of Abong Elementary School who fell ill after eating lunch given by a nongovernment organization (NGO) on Sunday.

Quiñon said 28 patients were brought for consultation at the Carles rural health unit while 69 others were sent to the Jesus Colmenares Memorial Hospital in Malbog, Balasan town. Of the number, only four were confined due to dehydration.

Based on the report of Dr. Roland Betita, the municipal health officer of Carles, at least 160 Grades 5 and 6 pupils were served hamonado, a dish made of pork, pineapple and sugar,  during a free lunch given by an NGO.

Chief Insp. Terrence Sta. Ana, Carles police chief, said the pupils complained of stomach ache, diarrhea and dizziness a few hours after they ate hamonado and a black meat.

“Based on the testimonies of the patients, they ate hamonado and black meat as viand. After they got home, the victims complained of symptoms associated with food poisoning,” Sta. Ana said.  SFM