Milk downs students in Negros Oriental
BACOLOD CITY: Dozens of students from two hinterland elementary schools in the town of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental were hospitalized after drinking fresh milk rationed by the Department of Education (DepEd).
Dr. Liland Estacion, assistant provincial health officer, said that the students were brought to the Bayawan District Hospital in Bayawan City and a treatment facility in Sta. Catalina late Thursday night after they vomited and experienced stomach pain.
Initial reports said the learners are from the elementary schools in Barangay Nagbinlod proper and Sitio Avocado.
Estacion said 47 were admitted at the Bayawan District Hospital, and 25 were treated in Sta. Catalina.
"The numbers do not include those who might have mild symptoms and are undergoing self-treatment at home, or additional hospital admissions today," she said.
"I have already ordered my staff to conduct an investigation in Nagbinlod and submit an incident report to my office as it seems there are other schools in the area that are in a similar situation," she added.
On Thursday, the students received bottles of fresh milk as part of the DepEd's feeding program.
The Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office said the fresh milk bottles had no label or any information regarding the supplier.
It added that Emily Colasisang, district supervisor of DepEd District 2, received the fresh milk from the division office of Negros Oriental for their feeding program.
This was not the first time that the DepEd supplied milk for the children, and parents found no reason to question the teachers where the milk came from.
Estacion said the consumption of fresh milk was the common factor among the students who came down with the symptoms.
She said that her office will investigate the circumstances surrounding the feeding program.
Estacion added they will look into the condition of the milk when it was distributed and investigate how the milk was handled and processed.
The Provincial Health Office has already sent intravenous fluids and medication to Bayawan City and Sta. Catalina.
Source: TheManila Times
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