ILOILO — Nearly 90 Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets participating in a regional summer camp in Dingle, Iloilo were rushed to hospitals after suffering symptoms consistent with foodborne illness shortly after dinner, prompting the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) to launch an investigation into a suspected food poisoning incident.
The affected cadets were among approximately 900 students from various universities and colleges in Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental, attending the summer camp training at Camp Adriano D. Hernandez in Dingle.
According to IPHO head Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, initial reports received by the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) indicated a clustering of foodborne disease cases among cadets who developed symptoms shortly after eating dinner on the evening of June 17.
The patients were brought to the Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan, Don Valerio Palmares District Hospital in Passi City, and Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center in Barotac Nuevo.
“Ginpangdala ini sila sa mga hospitals pagkatapos nga magbatyag sang pagsuka kag pagsakit sang tiyan mga 30 minutes pagkatapos nila panyapon. Tanan sini sa ila naka-experience sang mild symptoms lamang kag kadam-an na-discharge na sa hospitals,” said Quiñon.
Quiñon said the IPHO continues to coordinate with the Dingle Primary Health Care Facility and the district hospitals involved to monitor the condition of the affected cadets and ensure proper response measures are being implemented.
On June 18, health authorities conducted a field investigation at the training camp to gather additional information and collect samples of leftover food and drinking water for laboratory analysis to determine the source of the illness.
“Para makahatag kita sang insakto nga impormasyon kon ano gid man bala ang posible nga pagkaon ukon ilimnon ang nagtuga sang sintoma sa mga pasyente kag makahatag man sang kita sang guidance sa affected community sang food safety protocols para malikawan ang kaangay nga insidente,” dugang ni Quiñon.
Initial information gathered by investigators indicated that the cadets consumed pork adobo purchased from a local market in Dingle before the incident occurred. However, authorities stressed that laboratory tests are needed to confirm the exact cause of the illness.
Colonel Edralin Poblete, Group Commander of the Reserve Command at Camp Hernandez, said the first batch of 89 cadets was served dinner ahead of the others but began experiencing symptoms roughly 20 minutes later.
The camp management immediately halted the serving of the meal to the remaining cadets and ordered the preparation of an alternative food supply to prevent additional cases.
Poblete said the camp had contracted a private caterer to prepare meals for the approximately 900 cadets undergoing training.
Meanwhile, the IPHO reminded the public to strictly observe food safety protocols, including proper storage and handling of food, thorough handwashing before food preparation, and safe refrigeration of leftovers.
Quiñon also advised organizers of large gatherings to keep sample portions of served food for possible laboratory testing should food poisoning incidents occur.
Health authorities urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea to immediately seek medical attention at the nearest health center or hospital./PN
