Victims exit the venue during a suspected food poisoning in Pasig City, the Philippines, July 3, 2019. At least 260 people fell ill at the 90th birthday celebration of Imelda Marcos, wife of former President Ferdinand Marcos, on Wednesday in Pasig City of Metro Manila, after eating a contaminated lunch, police and health officials said. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
MANILA, July 3 (Xinhua) -- At least 260 people fell ill at the 90th birthday celebration of Imelda Marcos, wife of former President Ferdinand Marcos, on Wednesday in Pasig City of Metro Manila, after eating a contaminated lunch, police and health officials said.
Police Col. Rizalito Gapas, chief of Pasig City Police, said the victims were taken to hospitals suffered abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting. He said an estimated 2,500 people attended the event held at a sports arena.
Initial investigations said suspected food poisoning downed the people after eating chicken adobo, a popular Filipino dish of chicken slices cooked in soy sauce, vinegar and garlic. An investigation is underway to determine the food that sickened the guests.
Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the food poisoning could have been caused by unsanitary handling of the chicken adobo, boiled egg and rice served at the get-together party. Some 2,500 food packs were distributed to the people, he added.
“Suspect cases strongly point out to a toxin causing it, derived from the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (staph),” Duque said.
Primo Valenzuela, a doctor at the Rizal Medical Center, where 100 victims were taken, said the unsanitary preparation of the food may have caused the toxin to thrive on the food. Poor storage of the food may also have contributed to the contamination, he added.
Imelda Marcos, the wife of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, turned 90 on last Tuesday.
