By Allison
Lopez
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 19:14:00 09/25/2008
Source of Article: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080925-162897/DoH-eyes-salmonella-in-Tondo-food-poisoning
MANILA, Philippines -- Salmonella could
be the reason for the alleged food poisoning of 112 pupils from the Jose
Corazon de Jesus Elementary School in Tondo, Manila,
initial findings of the Department of Health (DoH)
indicated.
Dr. Eric Tayag,
chief of the DoH's national epidemiology center, said
salmonella enteritidis was discovered from the stool
of the children who suffered diarrhea and vomiting about 12 hours after eating
canteen food.
"Salmonella is usually found in
contaminated egg, and the canteen served scrambled egg sandwich. The investigation,
however, is not yet complete," he said in a text message.
The students, who ranged from Grades
1-5, were confined at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center and San Lazaro Hospital a day or two after eating egg sandwiches,
hotdogs and mais con yelo
(sweet corn in ice) prepared by their canteen Friday.
Dr. Yolanda Oliveros,
director of the
School principal Trinidad Galang said only two students remain confined at San Lazaro since they still complained of stomach pains, while
the rest have already gone to school or recuperated at home.
She said she welcomed the DoH probe into the incident, adding the health department
is also investigating their suppliers of eggs, ice and bread.
"They also got water samples from our faucets twice. It was explained to
me that salmonella can be present in food and water," she told the
Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).
Galang maintained their canteen observed
sanitary requirements and that she personally monitored its operations that
day.
Some of the students who were treated
for amoebiasis and gastroenteritis, she added,
already had "heavy bacteria" -- indicating the infection may have
been due to food or water in their own homes.
The DoH has
obtained water samples from the clustered areas near Canal de la Reina Regente, where Galang said some
pupils resided.
"We will wait for the findings of
the DoH to make sure what really made the students
sick. But this incident should serve as a wake-up call to everyone, especially
parents, as to the food they are giving their children," she said.
The school canteen will remain closed
pending recommendations from health officials, she said.
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