DPH seeks tighter inspection of cargoes from FSM

Department of Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez yesterday asked the Division of Customs to check all cargoes coming from FSM which may contain food items contaminated with cholera-causing bacteria.

In a letter to Customs Chief Jose C. Mafnas, the public health chief said he wants strict inspections of all containers or cargoes coming from FSM to deter entry of food from these islands.

The request was in support of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio’s order banning the importation of raw or cooked food coming from FSM after a food poisoning incident downed close to 100 people who attended a weddidng reception last Saturday.

This developed as an autopsy is set to be conducted soon on Guillermo M. Benavente, a sponsor in a wedding, to determine whether his death was triggered by the food poisoning.

Sources said Mr. Benavente woke up at around 4:00 a.m. last Sunday to go to the toilet after complaining of stomach cramps. Two hours later, Mr. Benavente died in his home. His wife Andresina, also a sponsor in the wedding, was rushed to the hospital for food poisoning treatment.

The family of Mr. Benavente has initially requested an autopsy to find out once and for all the cause of his death but since the food poisoning incident has become a public health concern, the department is now providing assistance as this may help provide the answers to the incident.

Public health officials are still investigating the cause of the incident that downed 98 people who attended the Nena-Taisacan reception. While the source of food poisoning may be related to cholera-causing virus, Vibro Cholerae, Mr. Villagomez said the department has not identified any specific organism that caused the poisoning.

Mr. Villagomez said he has contacted the Atlanta-based Center for Disease Control and Prevention for help in analyzing some of the food specimen taken during the wedding reception. Results of the laboratory analysis conducted in Guam is expected to be out today as well as the ones conducted on the island.

Many of those who got sick ate crabs, which were among the food brought by the Nena-Taisacan families to the reception. Family members who did not attend the reception but ate the food brought by relatives also got sick.

“It is surprising that some people who ate the same food did not get sick that’s why we really have to conduct a thorough investigation,” Mr. Villagomez said.

The governor has issued fresh instructions reminding the public about a cholera outbreak in the State of Phonpei. He ordered the department to immediately take all precautionary measures to protect CNMI residents from outbreak of food and water borne diseases here. (See related Story)