A single, seemingly harmless meal has sent shockwaves through the community of Sta. Rita, Samar and nearby provinces.
A total of 37 cases of food poisoning have been reported in the latest health scare to hit the town of Sta. Rita in Samar all linked to the consumption of the fish sardinella, locally known as “tamban,” allegedly sourced from Catbalogan City. Tamban is commonly made into sardines or tinapa (smoked fish).
The series of incidents, which occurred on July 13, have caused concern among residents and health officials alike.
The affected areas within Sta. Rita include Rosal and Southern Canunay with 11 cases, San Pascual with nine, Salvacion and Southern Tomandog with a total of eight cases, Tulay with three, Tominamos with three cases, Hinangutdan with two, and Binanalan with one recorded case.
Among these, 32 individuals have displayed various signs and symptoms associated with food poisoning.
Tamban was also blamed for the unfortunate incident that claimed the lives of eight cats and one pig reported in the Samar and Leyte islands.
Red Tide Toxins
Authorities immediately investigated the source of the contaminated Tamban fish and have issued warnings to residents to avoid consuming any fish from questionable or unverified sources.
Laboratory examinations conducted by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 8 - Provincial Marine Biotoxin Laboratory in Catbalogan City revealed the presence of Pyrodinium bahamense, a toxic red tide causitive organism.
The poisonous microorganism causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and was present in samples collected from various bays in Samar and Eastern Samar. Cooking freezing does not destroy the red tide toxin, studies say.
As a result, a local red tide warning is in effect in the mentioned areas, prohibiting the harvesting, transportation, and consumption of shellfish and Acetes sp. ("Alamang").
“Ma undergo pa han analysis an tamban samples po mga 1-2 weeks pa daw po san-o makuha an result base han standard procedure na ginhatag han CO… As of now po mayada po further investigation na gindudumara an mga heads ngan nagbalik po ha ground, mismo ha areas han mayad mag alleged reports,” said Christine Gersola of BFAR.
Regular monitoring and testing are conducted to ensure the safety of shellfish meat samples and safeguard human health as well as the fisheries industry.
The community stands united in the face of this food-borne crisis, emphasizing the need for collective action and adherence to food safety standards to prevent further tragedies like the one that befell the innocent individuals in Sta. Rita.
Public Advisory
To avoid similar tragedies, the public is advised to carefully inspect fish before purchasing or consuming them.
Among the key indicators of a fresh catch are having bright, bulging eyes with velvet black pupils and transparent corneas, bright red gills and covered with clear slime, emitting a fresh odor, flesh is firm and stiff and no lasting impressions when touched.
Fresh fish also have intact belly walls and white muscle tissue. The vent of fresh fish is pink and not protruding and has a fresh, fishy odor and bright appearance.
Fishers Take Action
The news of the food poisoning outbreak has dealt a heavy blow to local fishermen whose livelihoods depend on the sale of fresh seafood.
Several vendors and fishermen in Calbayog City even resorted to setting up a grill next to their products to show customers that their fish are safe for consumption.
Another group of fishermen were also feeding their freshly caught fish to a group of stray cats in Catbalogan. Surprisingly, the cats did not show any signs of illness after consuming the fish.
Fear and uncertainty have gripped the community with many residents hesitant to purchase fish from the local markets. This has resulted in a sharp decline in sales, leaving fishermen struggling to make ends meet.
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