• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Seventeen Grade 5 students were hospitalized after reportedly eating fruits of “candle bush” plant locally known as “kasla” in Barangay Tiglawigan, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental on Aug. 12.
Richard Amante, head of Cadiz City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said on Thursday, Aug. 13 that the students experienced symptoms consistent with poisoning, including dizziness, vomiting, headache, and stomach pain after consuming the fruits.
Amante said initial investigation showed that one of the students brought “kasla” fruits to school and told the other students these were edible.
Some of the students reportedly described its taste as similar to peanuts, which may have encouraged them to try it.
The affected students were brought to a Cadiz City Primary Care Facility for immediate medical attention.
Thirteen were assessed and cleared by the City Health Office while four others required further medical treatment and were given intravenous fluids.
Amante warned that “kasla” can be poisonous and may cause serious symptoms when consumed.
He reminded parents, teachers, and school personnel to prevent children from consuming unfamiliar fruits or seeds and to immediately seek medical attention if poisoning symptoms occur. | GPB
