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Easing of FSM food ban eyed
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Posted on Jul 13 2000
The ban against entry of raw or cooked food from the Federated States of Micronesia stays, but Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio said the CNMI is looking at accommodating some exemptions, particularly for islands not affected by a cholera outbreak there.
He told reporters yesterday that the Department of Public Health is now reviewing a request made by officials in Yap to lift the ban against food coming from that state which is not affected by the outbreak.
The department will be coming up with some recommendations within the next few days “why we should not ban their food,” said the governor.
Mr. Tenorio, however, reiterated that the restrictions remain in effect as the reported cholera outbreak is still “very active” in Pohnpei.
FSM is comprised of the state of Pohnpei, Yap, Chuuk and Kosrae. CNMI is home to some of their citizens who work and reside here under the Compact of Free Association and have relatives living on the islands.
The Commonwealth imposed the ban immediately after several guests at a hotel wedding reception suffered food poisoning three weeks ago. DPH officials traced the cause to seafood imported from Kosrae and Chuuk that were brought into the hotel by families of the couple.
Quarantine officials have been ordered to seize raw, cooked or pre-cooked food that have been brought in by passengers from FSM to prevent spread of cholera in the CNMI.
