8 of 9 students downed by macapuno candy in QC now stable

Most of the students downed by macapuno candy in Quezon City are now stable, while one remains in critical condition.

 

In its latest medical bulletin on Friday, the Quirino Memorial Medical Center said eight of the nine students from Juan Sumulong High School who were rushed there after eating macapuno candy on Thursday have been moved to the regular ward earlier this morning.

 

They are expected to be discharged on Saturday since no problems were seen in their blood test results.

 

However, QMMC medical officer Dr. Jojo Mercado said a female student is still at the pediatric intensive care unit, where her heart rate is being monitored.

 

She ate three packs – or 36 pieces – of the candies, which affected her heart rate.

 

The students were brought to the said facility after experiencing dizziness, stomachache, and vomiting after eating the candy, sample of which has been sent to the Food and Drug Administration for testing on Thursday evening. 
 

The candies, reportedly from Calauan, Laguna, were given as samples by three men who pretended they were students of the school.

 

A toxicologist arrived at the QMMC on Thursday evening and said that based on the students' symptoms, the candies may have contained organo phospate, a chemical from pesticide. — Ian Cruz and Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/RSJ, GMA News