4-YEAR-OLD BOY SWALLOWS WATUSI

THE Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reported that a four-year-old boy from Calabarzon swallowed watusi.

It was the first case of watusi ingestion this holiday season.

The DOH said the child accidentally swallowed watusi at home.

The boy was given first aid but according to the Department, the family of the child cannot be reached at the moment.

Health officials appealed to the parents to bring back the child to the hospital for proper medication.

According to the DOH, signs and symptoms of watusi poisoning may not be immediate, and may manifest in the next few hours and be persistent for a few days. 

“Death is a risk,” it warned.

Children often mistake the small, brightly colored firework for candy, the health department said. 

DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said those who accidentally ingest watusi should be immediately brought to the hospital.

“Wag pipiliting magsuka ang pasyente. Pero bigyan siya ng egg white. Ito ang bumabalot sa yellow phosphorous. Nababalutan niya ang lason. Pag nabalutan siya ng egg white, mas nadaling tanggalin. Hindi dapat tinatanggal sa bahay. Kaya una, bigyan ng egg white pero dalhin sa ospital.” Domingo said. 

The DOH said when watusi get lodged in the eye, immediately wash the eye with clean water for at least 15 minutes and keep eyelids open while seeking medical help. 

Meanwhile, the DOH said that injuries related to fireworks reached 88 four days before Christmas.