The Department of Health (DOH) advised the public to refrain from buying and eating fish from Taal Lake and Batangas province.
Speaking to Palace reporters, DOH Assistant Secretary Ma. Francia Laxamana warned against the possible health risks of consuming fish from areas near Taal Volcano, which began to spew ash and smoke on Sunday.
“Kasi nga unang-una po, pinagbawal na. So definitely meron po tayong mga advisory na lahat ng nanggagaling dyan sa area ng Taal at Batangas, dapat po talaga, wala nang bibili. Kasi hindi po natin maaasahan ‘yung safety ng ating mga mamamayan (First and foremost, buying fish there has already been prohibited. So definitely, we already have an advisory that public should not buy fish coming from areas of Taal and Batangas. We cannot guarantee its safety to the public),” she said.
Alert Level 4 is still raised over unrest Taal Volcano, amid an escalation in its volcanic activity. Alert Level 4 means a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days.
However, fishing activities in Taal Lake continue despite the forced evacuation of people living near the volcano.
Laxamana cautioned that those who might accidentally eat fish from Taal Lake and nearby province can experience stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
“Ngayon, kung halimbawa man biglang nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na nakakain siya o gusto n’ya talaga ‘yung Tawilis na galing ng Taal Lake, meron po tayong mga symptoms (Now, if for example, they have the chance or they really want to eat fish like Tawilis sourced from Taal Lake, you will experience symptoms),” she said.
”Magkakaroon po ‘yan ng mga sintomas kagaya ng pagsasakit ng tyan, magsusuka, magtatae. ‘Yun po ‘yung mga gagamutin nating sintomas (We will have symptoms like stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. You have to take medications if you experience such symptoms),” she added.
Laxamana said those who will suffer from stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea are advised to “rehydrate”.
“Bantayan po nating mabuti ang sitwasyon ng ating mga pasyente na naka-ingest ng mga namatay na isda or may sulfur or whatever chemical or minerals (Closely monitor the situation of those who ingested fish that has sulfur or whatever chemicals or minerals),” she said. (PNA)
