By Anthony Giron
IMUS CITY, Cavite – Food poisoning has been ruled out as the cause of the stomach pain and other discomfort experienced by scores of junior high school students earlier this month after they reportedly drank iced tea at the Garden Cafe of the Imus Institute of Science and Technology (IIST)-Dimasalang Campus in Barangay Poblacion IV-D, this capital city.
City officials confirmed that there was no food poisoning in the July 10-11 school incident as per report of Dr. Randy Calingasan, the local health officer.
Imus Institute of Science and Technology (IIST)
(FACEBOOK/ MANILA BULLETIN) Initial findings, as reported by the officials, showed that the affected students may have consumed contaminated water that was mixed with the drink sold at the school cafe area. Mayor Emmanuel Leonardo Maliksi had made his personal inquiry about the incident and so Councilor Adrian Jay Advincula, being the chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) Committee on Education and Culture and Health and Sanitation. Read more: Councilor seeks inquiry on Imus school food poisoning Advincula said that the initial finding showed that the students may have drank the contaminated water that caused them to fall ill “but definitely there was no food poisoning. ” "Doctor (Randy) Calingasan had looked into it and he informed me that there was no food poisoning," Advincula told this reporter in an interview. "As reported (by Dr. Calingasan) the water in question may have e-coli and/or bacteria that cause gastroenteritis. I was told that rectal swab had been undertaken and further scrutiny will still be made," Advincula added. The school authorities have also looked into the incident particularly the source of the contaminated water. A report reaching Advincula said that Garden Cafe had five stalls that sell drinks. Some of the stalls, operated by individuals, had no permits, Advincula gathered. The cafe area is in the school vicinity near the gate entrance and the guard post. The IIST officials ordered the closure of the Garden Cafe until further notice last July 11. Some 40 affected students were reportedly brought to the Our Lady of the Pillar Medical Center (OLPMC) and one at Medical Center Imus (MCI) for check-up and treatment on July 10 and 11. Most of the students were discharged also on July 10 as outpatients. About 10 students were reported to have been admitted but were eventually discharged. The IIST had paid for the hospital expenses of all the affected students, it was gathered. The city officials said there was no complaint from the students or parents about the incident. IIST Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Loida Sta. Maria said that investigation and a report will be made in connection with the incident. The IIST is a private school long operating in the city. Its main campus is located on Nueno Avenue, with the annex or the Dimasalang Campus in Poblacion. Advincula said on Monday the inquiry was no longer needed with the no food poisoning pronouncement of the city health officer and his (health officer's) report about the incident and other developments. Read more: Suspected food poisoning downs 40 students in Imus school, classes suspended
Imus Institute of Science and Technology (IIST)(FACEBOOK/ MANILA BULLETIN) Initial findings, as reported by the officials, showed that the affected students may have consumed contaminated water that was mixed with the drink sold at the school cafe area. Mayor Emmanuel Leonardo Maliksi had made his personal inquiry about the incident and so Councilor Adrian Jay Advincula, being the chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) Committee on Education and Culture and Health and Sanitation. Read more: Councilor seeks inquiry on Imus school food poisoning Advincula said that the initial finding showed that the students may have drank the contaminated water that caused them to fall ill “but definitely there was no food poisoning. ” "Doctor (Randy) Calingasan had looked into it and he informed me that there was no food poisoning," Advincula told this reporter in an interview. "As reported (by Dr. Calingasan) the water in question may have e-coli and/or bacteria that cause gastroenteritis. I was told that rectal swab had been undertaken and further scrutiny will still be made," Advincula added. The school authorities have also looked into the incident particularly the source of the contaminated water. A report reaching Advincula said that Garden Cafe had five stalls that sell drinks. Some of the stalls, operated by individuals, had no permits, Advincula gathered. The cafe area is in the school vicinity near the gate entrance and the guard post. The IIST officials ordered the closure of the Garden Cafe until further notice last July 11. Some 40 affected students were reportedly brought to the Our Lady of the Pillar Medical Center (OLPMC) and one at Medical Center Imus (MCI) for check-up and treatment on July 10 and 11. Most of the students were discharged also on July 10 as outpatients. About 10 students were reported to have been admitted but were eventually discharged. The IIST had paid for the hospital expenses of all the affected students, it was gathered. The city officials said there was no complaint from the students or parents about the incident. IIST Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Loida Sta. Maria said that investigation and a report will be made in connection with the incident. The IIST is a private school long operating in the city. Its main campus is located on Nueno Avenue, with the annex or the Dimasalang Campus in Poblacion. Advincula said on Monday the inquiry was no longer needed with the no food poisoning pronouncement of the city health officer and his (health officer's) report about the incident and other developments. Read more: Suspected food poisoning downs 40 students in Imus school, classes suspended