Tondo Medical Center in Manila (Photo grabbed from Tondo Medical Center Facebook page)
MANILA – A woman died while 14 others were still under observation at the Tondo Medical Center (TMC) for alleged food poisoning after eating “chicken mami” soup in Gagalangin, Tondo in Manila.
A progress report issued by the Manila Police District (MPD) on Thursday identified the victim as Josefina Manila, 43, a person with disability.
However, it said the cause of Manila’s death is still being determined pending results of the testing done by the Food and Drugs Administration on a food sample taken from the mami.
Meanwhile, 14 others, including seven children and two elderly people, are still under observation at the TMC.
An initial investigation by the MPD showed that the patients “suffered dizziness and vomiting, several hours later after eating 'Mami Soup' owned by Joy Dela Vega.”
The adult victims were Jimmy Rebaya, 52; Rose Carla Atenta, 18; Inez Cabandi, 57, Isidro Biano Jr, 28; Irma Rivera, 68; Nerliza Picao, 35; and Levita Manila, 70.
All the victims are residents of Barangay 172 in Gagalangin.
In an interview with the media, Aner dela Vega, mother of the “mami” store owner, said her daughter did nothing unusual in preparing the popular Filipino noodle soup.
She said even her daughter was also rushed to the hospital.
“Maging siya rin po ay nandito din siya, tumikim din siya, at ang asawa niya kumain din po (Even my daughter is here in the hospital because she tasted it, and her husband also ate some),” dela Vega said, though police records have not included the couple's names as among those under observation.
She said her daughter has been selling noodles in the area for 20 years.
Dela Vega apologized to those who have fallen ill from eating the noodles. (PNA)
