Health team off to Argao to probe food poisoning

The Integrated Provincial Health Office has sent a team to Argao town to look into the possible causes of a food poisoning incident, in Barangay Cansuje last Thursday, that has so far claimed at least two lives and hospitalized more than 20 others.

IPHO chief Dr. Cristina Giango said several boxes of dextrose and oral solution were also sent to the Argao District Hospital to address the risk of dehydration of victims confined there.

There are seven people presently confined at the Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital while 26 others, with complaints of stomach ache and vomiting, have been under observation at the Senior Citizen Center in barangay Poblacion.

The IPHO would also look for the vendor who sold the shellfish, locally known as "litub," which might have caused the poisoning, said Giango, adding that most of the victims have blamed their affliction from that food.

Giango said they must talk to the vendor to determine the origin of the shellfish, which have been subjected to laboratory examination for possible red tide toxin contamination. - Fred P. Languido