At least 108 people were rushed to their community hospital for suspected food poisoning in upland Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, a town official said Monday.
Roberto Bagong, the Lake Sebu disaster risk reduction and management council (MDRRMC) action officer, said the food poisoning victims are from the remote areas of Barangays Tasiman and Lamfugon.
Bagong said at least 20 of the victims were children who probably ate food brought home by their parents after attending a gathering Sunday afternoon.
Local rescue teams, assisted by emergency response teams from neighboring towns, rushed them to a hospital due to severe diarrhea and vomiting after the barangays sought their help.
Bagong said those who were poisoned were part of a large crowd that converged in a specific area on Sunday afternoon.
“We suspect spoiled ‘bihon’ (rice noodles) that were distributed during the gathering caused the food poisoning,” Bagong said.
Bagong said 92 of the victims are still undergoing medication at the Lake Sebu Community Hospital while others are outpatients.
He also appealed to the public to be extra careful in food handling and preparation to avoid food poisoning.
“As much as possible food during mass gatherings must be cooked in the community kitchen, avoid bringing home cook food from huge gatherings to prevent the same incident,” he said.
Source: Philippines News Agency
