Six die of food poisoning

BULUKUMBA, South Sulawesi (JP): At least six people have died and 27 others are in intensive care following an outbreak of food poisoning after they consumed fish that was bought at the local market last week.

"The victims have been falling ill since last week and the death toll is rising," Abdul Sjafar, head of the Bulukumba Health Agency, said in Bulukamba on Tuesday.

Bulukumba is located about 140 kilometers south of the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar.

Sjafar said the fish were probably exposed to poisonous material while being transported to local markets.

The latest data show that at least six people -- aged from 40 to 80 years -- died after consuming the poisonous fish.

A total of 27 people are still being treated at nearby hospitals.

"Five of the dead were from Bontotiro district, with one from Bontobahari district," Sjafar said.

Cases arose on Sept. 19 when a group of locals from Bontotiro district complained of vomiting and defecating thick dark blood after eating a portion of fish.

"We have not been able to determine the substance that caused the poisoning. Most victims had foam oozing from their mouth, which is a typical sign of a (poisoning) case," Sjafar said.

Following the outbreak, Bulukumba residents have stopped eating fish, leading to a glut of unsold seafood.

In an attempt to avoid public hysteria, Bulukumba district chief Patabai Pabokori and his staff have organized a dinner to prove that not all fish are poisonous.

"Not all fish are harmful. I have received information that the contaminated fish in this case were only the small teri sea fish," Patabai said.

"We will have a dinner tonight, complete with fish. Everybody is welcome to join us". (27/edt)