The suspected food poisoning case related to the system of Ms. Bich's toad loafery has caused 235 people to be hospitalized at 13 hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City. After eating, these people showed symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, high fever and were taken to hospitals for treatment.
Most cases are currently temporarily stable, however, a patient with a serious underlying disease is being actively treated at Gia Dinh People's Hospital. The authorities have established an inspection team, sealed the food, took bread samples and ingredients for testing.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, initial clinical data show that most patients are infected with gut bacteria, most likely Salmonella. The results of a blood culture at Gia Dinh People's Hospital also showed a positive result for Salmonella.
Of the 235 cases, Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City received 26 cases. The patients all had symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and all ate bread at this shop on November 5.
MSc. Dr. Vo Dang Toan - Department of Gastroenterology, Center for Endoscopy and Gastroenterological Surgery, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City said that people infected with Salmonella bacteria have typical symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, and sometimes blood in the stool. The condition usually lasts for a few days to a week, and the diarrhea can persist before the intestines return to normal.
Healthy people, if treated properly, will recover within a few days thanks to the use of appropriate antibiotics, rehydration and electrolytes, treatment of pain relief symptoms and diarrhea control. However, serious complications can still occur in the elderly, young children or people with underlying diseases, such as septic shock, sepsis, acute kidney damage due to dehydration, electrolyte disorders, and even death.
When there are signs of suspected food poisoning such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea repeatedly or fever, patients need to compensate for water and electrolytes properly with oresol solution and go to a medical facility immediately for timely treatment, do not use diarrhea medicine. In cases of frequent vomiting, high fever, dehydration, or young children, the elderly, pregnant women need to be closely monitored at the hospital, given appropriate fluids and antibiotics to avoid dangerous complications.
Investigate and handle strictly
Regarding the suspected food poisoning case related to this bread shop system, on November 10, the Department of Food Safety (Ministry of Health) sent a document to the Department of Food Safety of Ho Chi Minh City to investigate and handle the suspected food poisoning case.
Units organize investigations and traces of food origin to clearly identify the sources of ingredients and foods suspected of causing poisoning; collect food samples and diseases for testing to find the cause; investigate and strictly handle violations of food safety regulations (if any), publicize the results to promptly warn the community.
The Food Safety Department recommends that the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety strictly implement the Ministry of Health's instructions on strengthening food safety assurance, preventing counterfeit food, food poisoning; strengthening food safety assurance for schools and collective kitchens; ensuring food safety, preventing food poisoning and food-related diseases in the area in 2025.
At the same time, units have increased propaganda and instructed food service businesses to ensure food safety conditions, strictly control the origin and source of food ingredients, ensure hygiene throughout the process of food processing, processing, transportation, 3-step food inspection, and food sample storage.
