BACOLOD City— Seventeen Grade 5 students in Barangay Tiglawigan, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, were brought to a health facility after reportedly suffering symptoms of poisoning from eating seeds of a plant locally known as “kasla” or “tuba-tuba” on Wednesday afternoon.
Richard Amante, officer-in-charge of the Cadiz City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said they received the report at around 3:50 p.m. and immediately deployed three ambulances to respond to the incident.
Initial information showed that one of the students reportedly gathered kasla seeds and shared them with classmates, who subsequently ate the seeds.
The affected students were transported to the Cadiz City Primary Care Facility for medical attention after experiencing symptoms consistent with jatropha poisoning.
Amante said 13 of the 17 students were already in good condition, while four were kept under observation and administered intravenous (IV) fluids. They were later allowed to return home after receiving treatment.
The Cadiz City Primary Care Facility issued a public health advisory warning the public against consuming jatropha seeds.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), jatropha, also known locally as kasla, tuba-tuba, tagumbao, tubang-bakod or tangan-tangan, contains toxins that can cause poisoning when its seeds are ingested.
The DOH warned that even one to three chewed jatropha seeds can cause poisoning in children and adults. Symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, followed by watery diarrhea within 30 minutes to two hours after ingestion.
Other symptoms include severe abdominal pain and a burning sensation in the throat. In severe cases, poisoning may result in gastrointestinal bleeding, severe dehydration, electrolyte loss, liver damage and reduced urine output due to low blood pressure.
Children are particularly vulnerable to complications arising from dehydration and electrolyte loss.
The public health advisory urged anyone suspected of ingesting jatropha seeds to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility for appropriate treatment, including fluid and electrolyte replacement.
Parents and school authorities were also urged to educate children about the plant’s toxicity and prevent them from eating or playing with its seeds. Schools were advised against cultivating jatropha within school premises.
Amante said the CDRRMO would strengthen its information campaign and include reminders in its training activities, particularly those involving students, on the dangers of consuming kasla seeds./PN
