LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET -- Following an alleged food poisoning case, results of microbiology tests released on June 4 showed water from a spring in Bineng is positive with E. coli bacteria.
E. coli is found in the environment, in food and intestines of peoples and animals, and causes diarrhea in humans stated in the Municipal Health Services Office (MHSO) in La Trinidad report on the alleged food poisoning case forwarded to the Office of the Mayor on June 7.
On May 30, 27 patients attending a youth camp at Bodiweng in barangay Bineng organized by a local church were brought to the Benguet General Hospital (BeGH) following complaints of different symptoms of chills, fever, headache, nausea, stomachache and vomiting.
Another six individuals were also brought to the hospital for medical treatment. Patients comprised of ages 10 to 27 are from Baguio City, La Trinidad and Kapangan in Benguet.
The kitchen area was inspected by the MHSO for possible sources of contamination.
Different samples were taken from smoked fish, evaporated milk in can, cocoa powder, left overs of chocolate rice porridge and water taken from the nearby spring.
The samples were brought for microbiology laboratory of Department of Science and Technology in Cordillera.
The health services office added further investigation will be made to ascertain if the water was used for drinking at the camp.
Patients took medications including anti-bacterial and oral rehydration solution sachets and as of June 2 only town patients remained at the hospital.
MHSO further recommended continue follow-up on the possible cause of patients' illness and conduct of information dissemination to victims regarding the importance of food safety and proper handling.