2 dead, 2 hospitalized poisoned by “butete”

MABINI, Bohol – Two have died while two others remain in critical condition at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Regional Hospital after eating the lethal puffer fish, popularly known here as “butete”, in Barangay Marcelo, Mabini.

The fatalities are identified as Helen Hamin, 40, of Barangay Marcelo; and Marvin Isarsa, of barangay San Roque, of the same town.

According to the Mabini Municipal DSWD office, that fisherman Gomer Hamin, husband of Helen, brought home the puffer fish cooked with coconut milk, which they had as viand for lunch together with a relative Raul Hamin and Isarsa on Tuesday.

Two hours after having lunch, the victims felt dizzy and stiffness of their extremities and other parts of their body and were rushed to the Candijay District Hospital but two of them were already dead on arrival.

The two other victims were brought to the GCGRH for intensive treatment and are still in critical condition.

Puffer fish or “butete”, are carriers of tetrodotoxin, one of nature’s deadliest toxins.