Manila Health Department probes alleged food poisoning in Tondo

The Manila Health Department on Thursday said it is conducting an investigation on the alleged food poisoning incident which led to the death of one resident and hospitalization of 15 others.

In a statement, the Manila Health Department said human and food samples were sent for laboratory analysis in coordination with the Department of Health Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, and Philippine National Police.

“We are currently conducting investigation of the said incident and we assure the public that we will continue monitoring the affected community and assist if additional cases will be identified,” it said.

Imbestigasyon sa naganap na food poisoning sa Tondo, nagpapatuloy pa; sanhi nang pagkalason ng mga pasyente, inaalam pa, ayon sa Manila Health Department. | via @VargasMannysen pic.twitter.com/x1HARdDvkp

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) July 21, 2022

According to Darlene Cay’s Unang Balita report, the fatality identified as Josefina Manila, a PWD, was rushed to the hospital much later when she was  found frothing alone in her room after eating the chicken mami that the rest of the victims had eaten, including the vendor.

The report said eight of the victims were taken to the Tondo Medical Center and were already in stable condition.

Levita Manila, 75, Josefina's mother is likewise in stable condition.

“Bale si nanay po kasi nahihilo po. Tapos biglang nag-violet na po yung kamay niya. Nagsuka po,” Kenneth Restar, relative of the victim, said in Darlene Cay's "24 Oras" report on Thursday.

(Levita experienced dizziness, then her hand suddenly turned violet. She also vomitted.)

Josefina was left in the house and was found unconscious when visited by their neighbor.

“May nagmalasakit po tumingin sa taas nila, nakita po si ate [Josefina] bumubula na po yung bibig. Dinala na po si ate dito. Sobrang sakit po,” Restar said.

(Someone checked her in their house, then they saw my sister Josefina who was unconscious. My sister was brought here. It hurts so much.)

CCTV footage initially showed a child vomiting, followed by other victims who experienced the same, with some passing out. This prompted barangay officials to rush all those experiencing symptoms to the hospital.

Based on interview with the patients, the Manila Health Department said the victims ate chicken mami in a makeshift table along the sidewalk of Gapan street, Earnshaw, Gagalangin, Barangay 172, in Tondo on Wednesday.

After three hours, the patients experienced common symptoms of “dizziness, headache, vomiting, cyanosis, and changes in sensorium.”

“Mayroon dyan medyo mild lang ang symptoms, mayroon din dyan na syempre siguro nakakain ng mas marami so medyo severe ang symptoms nila,” Dr. Jesse Bermejo, Chief CESO Manila, said.

(Some have mild symptoms, the others who could have possibly eaten more experienced more severe symptoms.)

The Manila Health Department and the local government also expressed condolences to the family of the fatality.

“We empathize to those affected in the tragic incident that happened yesterday at Gagalangin, Tondo. To the life that was lost because of this unfortunate event, [we] were deeply sorry for the sudden grief it has cost your family,” it added.

The vendor of the chicken mami was also hospitalized for nausea and vomiting.

“‘Yun ang sinasabi nila kumain lahat sila ng mami. Maging siya po ay nandito rin sa kabilang ward. Tinikman din po niya at ang asawa niya kaninang umaga bago matulog po kumain din po. Yun dito na rin po galing ang manugang ko,” Aner Dela Vega, mother of the chicken mami vendor, said.

(They are all saying they ate mami. Even my daughter is here in the other ward. Her husband also tasted it this morning before going to bed. My son-in-law is also here.)

She said she had no idea why their customers experienced the symptoms.

“Ayon sa kwento ng anak ko, wala naman po siyang ibang halo dahil almost 20 years na siyang nagtitinda po niyan. Walang kakaibang ginawa,” Dela Vega said.

(According to my daughter, she did not mix any new ingredients because she has been selling that for almost 20 years. She did not use anything unusual on the food.)

The vendor also apologized to the victims and assured that they would cooperate with authorities.

The barangay officials also offered help to the victims.

“Financial, sa pag-aasist sa mga kung kinakailangan ng gamot at ano pang maitutulong namin, handa naman kami tumulong ,” barangay councilman Francis Pacheco of Barangay 172, Tondo, Manila, said.

(We will help financially and assist in providing medicine and other assistance.—Richa Noriega/AOL, GMA News