Suspected food poisoning downs 261 guests at Imelda Marcos’ birthday party

MANILA (ANN): As many as 261 guests showed signs and symptoms of food poisoning while attending the 90th birthday celebration of former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos in Pasig here Wednesday (July 3), says the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).

“According to reports, an estimated 2,000 participants were present and at least 137 individuals suffered vomiting and dizziness,” PRC said in an earlier Twitter post.

But as of 5.30pm Wednesday, several hospitals in Pasig and nearby cities admitted a total of 261 people who fell ill after attending the birthday party of the former first lady, who turned 90 on July 2.

PRC chairman Richard Gordon said the medic teams already brought three patients to Rizal Medical Center and assisted 25 others.

“PRC medic teams are currently responding to an alleged food poisoning incident at the Birthday Celebration of Imelda Marcos at Ynares Sports Complex this morning,” Gordon said in a Twitter post.

“They transported three patients to Rizal Medical Center and assisted 25 other individuals. Updates to follow,” he added.

The Eastern Police District (EPD) earlier said there were about 2,500 visitors present at the event.

The EPD said paramedics and first responders rushed to the scene to attend to the victims, who had episodes of vomiting  and abdominal discomfort.

Further investigation is ongoing. - Philippine Daily Inquirer / Asia News Network

Eight PRC ambulances responded to an alleged food poisoning in a private celebration at the Ynares Sports Complex at 11:20 this high noon, July 3. According to reports, an estimated 2,000 participants were present in which at least 137 individuals suffered vomiting and dizziness.

— Philippine Red Cross (@philredcross) July 3, 2019