At least 52 villagers of Cataingan town in Masbate were hospitalized after eating tuna fish reportedly laced with either cyanide or formalin on Tuesday, the Department of Health (DOH) in Bicol said Wednesday.
Dr. Ingrid Magnata, DOH assistant regional director, said no fatality was reported but of the 52 people hospitalized at the Cataingan District Hospital (CDH), 47 are still confined and under observation while five patients were already discharged as of Wednesday.
Magnata said 13 of the victims were children and the rest were adults.
Reports said the victims, all residents of Barangay Poblacion, bought "tulingan" (tuna) from one Alfredo Abilong, a fish vendor of said town.
Abilong told health authorities that the fishes he sold came from a dealer from Samar province.
Magnata said initial reports from CDH said that some of the victims even ate the entrails of the fish.
She said the victims after eating the fish they cooked for lunch on Tuesday, complained of severe stomach ache, vomiting, nausea and numbness that immediately landed them in the hospital.
Magnata said a medical team from the Health Emergency Management Service (HEMS) is now in Cataingan to assist health personnel at the CDH in attending to the needs of the victims.
Dr. Jovan Lim, CDH chief, said he is closely coordinating with Dr. Bes Antonio, Toxicologist of the DOH Central Office, for a thorough examination of the incident. - PNA
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