Cassava Downs 4 In Southern Philippines

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 26 Jul) – Four members of a farming family were rushed to hospital after eating cooked cassava in the southern Philippines.

Neighbors said they rushed Ruben Talinto and his wife, Jennifer, and also their two children, to hospital in Davao City on Wednesday afternoon after the family complained of severe stomach pains. They were also vomiting.

The family lives in the village of Mandug in Buhangin district in Davao City. Their medical conditions were unknown.

The cassava root is widely consumed in the Philippines, just like in other Southeast Asian countries and other parts of the world, but it can also be poisonous if not completely peeled or thoroughly cooked.

Last year, a child had died and three others were hospitalized after eating cassava cake in Zamboanga City. The four children ages between 10 and 14 were rushed to hospital, but one had died.

In 2005, at least 50 people were also hospitalized for severe diarrhea and difficulty in breathing after feasting on pork stew cooked with cassava starch in Magpet town in North Cotabato province also in the southern Philippines. (Romy Bwaga)

Mushrooms Down 5 In South RP

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 15 Jul) – Five people, including two children, were rushed to hospital after eating wild mushroom for breakfast in the southern Philippines, police said.

The five remain in hospital in Davao City since Saturday because of severe vomiting. Relatives said the five shared breakfast after a neighbor gave them wild mushrooms.

The victims were identified as Bernardo Buntogan, 9; Roland Lopez, 35; Rolando Torquido, 36; Angelica Lopez, 2; and Charlyn Tequito, 40.

Poisonous mushrooms contain at least two different types of toxins, each of which can cause death if taken in large enough quantities.Wild mushrooms are endemic in southern Philippines and considered as a delicacy by Filipinos. (Romy Bwaga)

2 Die, 7 Hospitalized From Chemical Poisoning In Zamboanga City

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 18 Jan) – Two port laborers died and seven others were hospitalized Thursday from suspected chemical poisoning inside the cargo bay of a ferry in the southern Philippine port city of Zamboanga, health officials said.

They suspect the men had inhaled chemicals or suffocated inside the cargo bay filled with copra. The ferry, MV Beatrice, came from Jolo island, but it was unknown whether the men had permission inside the dark and hot cargo area.

“We suspect carbon monoxide or ammonia, possibly emanating from the cargoes, as the culprit. We are investigating this incident,” the chief of the local health office, Dr. Rodelyn Agbulos, said.

Agbulos said the two men died before reaching the hospital, while the rest were all in stable condition. (Mindanao Examiner)

ASEAN Summit Performers Rush To Hospital

CEBU (Mindanao Examiner / 14 Jan) – Some 120 mostly students were rushed to hospital in Cebu island in the central Philippines after they fell ill from eating meals served by a private caterer, reports said Sunday.

The victims were to perform a dance number Sunday on the gala dinner for the heads of states that attended the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu. Reports said the victims puked and complained of stomach ache after eating the packed meals.

No government officials or summit organizers were immediately available to make a statement. Reports said the victims were taken to the Perpetual Succor Hospital in Cebu for treatment.

The Philippines hosted the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit which opened Wednesday in Cebu under tight security and shadow of possible terror attacks from the regional Jemaah Islamiya militants and al-Qaeda-affiliate Abu Sayyaf group.

President Gloria Arroyo said great stakes were involved in the continuing integration of the entire East Asia, which is driven by strong centripetal forces to close ranks for a safer and more secure community, open and equitable trade and cooperation in all fronts of energy development, and the prosperity of its diverse peoples.

Last year, Malaysia hosted the 11th ASEAN Summit and discussed seven main issues -- the spread of bird flu, southern Thailand conflict, democracy in Myanmar, crude oil prices fluctuation and poverty, investment and trade and an ASEAN charter.

The 12th ASEAN Summit was supposed to be held last month, but had been postponed because of a typhoon. The ASEAN is composed of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (Mindanao Examiner)