• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) has clarified that the six family members from Barangay Singcang-Airport who fell ill after consuming seashells were the result of amoebiasis.
Assistant City Health Officer Dr. Grace Tan confirmed that medical findings from the hospital pointed to amoebiasis as the cause of the severe vomiting and diarrhea experienced by the victims.
The investigation began after a family in Purok Roma, Barangay Singcang-Airport, reported that six individuals, ranging in age from 6 to 44, suffered from watery stools, stomach aches, and headaches after eating clam soup on March 20.
Three individuals were admitted to the regional hospital and as of press time, only one minor remains hospitalized and is reported to be in stable, recovering condition.
Tan said that they already collected samples from the scene but have not yet received the official result.
She confirmed that no additional cases have been reported in the community, and continuous monitoring of hospital admissions and consultations shows no spike in similar symptoms.
The CHO has reinforced health teachings on proper food handling, water disinfection, and hygiene practices to prevent similar cases.*
