DOH warns parents: Don't let your child play with watusi Watusi is a dangerous firecracker. Parents should not let their children play with it, to avoid poisoning, according to the Department of Health (DOH). DOH-Center for Health Development in Western Visayas is aggressively campaigning this year against the use of firecrackers to prevent the loss of lives and limbs of people in the height of celebrating Christmas Day and New Year. The advisory against the use of watusi and other firecrackers is contained in a Briefer on Fourmula Kontra Paputok released by DOH 6 for holiday merrymakers to "stay alive and complete for the coming year". According to the briefer, watusi poisoning is a condition due to ingestion of watusi. Watusi is made up of extremely poisonous and toxic chemicals. When one suffers from watusi poisoning, there are burns, burning pain in the throat and garlic odor from breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomitus and excreta suffered by the victim. When watusi is ingested by a victim, DOH strictly advises against inducing vomiting. Instead, the victim, if a child, should be given 8 egg whites and 8-12 egg whites for adults. "If there is a dermal exposure, bathe the patient using alkaline soap like Perla or Ivory," said the advisory." The advisory also advises that the child should be brought immediately to the nearest hospital even if he/she seems to be well, because ill-effects may not be seen at once. Watusi, according to the advisory, is already banned from the market. However, Dr. Ariel I. Valencia, Director III and OIC Regional Director of DOH 6 CHD Western Visayas, said there are still watusis apparently being sold in many "bangketas" and even "sari-sari stores". DOH hopefully expects that by 2010, use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics shall be totally eliminated. (PIA)
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