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Zambo mayor orders probe on food poisoning case

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 20 (PNA) – Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has ordered the City Health Office and other concerned agencies to investigate an incident of food poisoning that recently downed 33 people.

Salazar issued the order after she learned of the incident that occurred during a Christmas party on December 9 in one of the local hotels but was only reported to the City Health Office (CHO) on Sunday, December 18.

Reports received by the CHO disclosed that nine of the 33 patients were hospitalized while the remaining 24 were treated as out-patients.

Dr. Ivy Iturralde, head of the city epidemiology surveillance unit, said they are conducting "contact-tracing" to determine the cause of the food poisoning.

However, Iturralde said they are facing difficulty in the conduct of "contact-tracing" since several days had passed before the incident was reported to them.

Salazar has advised management of food establishments to ensure the foodstuffs they serve are fresh and well-cooked to ensure the safety of the customers especially this yuletide season.

“In the light of the Christmas season, we are calling all food establishment operators to ensure the safety (of their customers) and the quality of food they serve,” Salazar said.

Iturralde said they have assigned sanitary inspectors to check local food service establishments to ensure the food they serve are safe for consumption. (PNA)

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