PIA Press Release Wednesday, January 04, 2012 Health office warns of acute gastroenteritis after the holidaysby Venus H. SarmientoPANGASINAN, Jan. 04 (PIA) –- The provincial health office here warned the public to be wary of leftovers during the holidays because of possible cases of acute-gastroenteritis. Dr. Anna De Guzman, provincial health officer, said the disease is likely to occur after the holidays when the family has many leftover foods. De Guzman said food that is re-heated several times may no longer be good for human consumption. Prior to the holidays, the health office advised the public to separate the sauces of food from the noodle or the main viand and to cook the food really well intended for noche buena. “Prone dito yung mga spaghetti dahil may sarsa at (Spaghetti is prone because of the sauce),” she said. De Guzman said it is not only during the holidays that gastroenteritis is likely to occur but also everyday, especially in carinderias where unsold leftover foods are sometimes just re-heated. Statistics show the rise of gastroenteritis cases in Pangasinan in the past years. In January to December 2010, there were 7,200 cases and rose to 7,600 cases the same period in 2011. De Guzman said it is always best to ensure that the food one eats is fresh, well-cooked and prepared by clean hands. (ANL/VHS-PIA 1 Pangasinan) |