On December 14, the Department of Health of Quang Ngai province issued a document directing the urgent handling of food poisoning cases in Cam Thanh ward, Nghia Lo.
The Department of Health of Quang Ngai province said that it has directed the temporary suspension of the main facility and its dependent facilities in the Hong Van bread chain to serve the work of inspection and testing samples. All related business points are required to stop production, seal and closely monitor, not to continue selling products to the market.
Of the total 50 suspected poisoning cases, some have been discharged from the hospital, some are being treated at Quang Ngai General Hospital and Phuc Hung Private General Hospital. Currently, the authorities continue to trace and fully count related cases.
According to the Quang Ngai Department of Health, samples of diseases and food have been taken for testing. However, because bacteria had to be planted, it took about a week to get the exact results.
After having the results, the authorities will determine the specific cause, type of disease-causing bacteria as well as the stage of arising in the food chain.
Along with that, the Department of Health has issued a document requesting relevant units to urgently handle suspected food poisoning cases occurring in Nghia Lo and Cam Thanh wards.
The Department of Health of Quang Ngai province requested the People's Committees of communes and wards to strengthen inspections of establishments that both produce bread and process food and put it in bread boxes to sell to people; review the production process, input and output raw materials, ensure food safety conditions.
Request Quang Ngai General Hospital, Phuc Hung Private General Hospital and medical examination and treatment facilities to focus resources on treating patients, ensuring patient safety.
Coordinate with the Food Safety Sub-Department and the Provincial Center for Disease Control in the investigation, taking samples for testing, and determining the cause of the poisoning. Medical units must report daily patient health developments and report cluster cases to the Quang Ngai Department of Health.
The Food Safety Department was assigned to preside over and coordinate with the Quang Ngai Medical Center, hospitals and related units to urgently investigate and handle the incident according to regulations. Strengthen inspection of food safety conditions at food and beverage service establishments in the province.
The provincial Center for Disease Control coordinates to investigate, monitor, and handle the poisoning case; organize sample collection, testing of food and disease samples, and send them to higher levels when necessary to determine the exact cause.
Quang Ngai Medical Center coordinates with relevant units in investigating, supervising, and handling the case; timely reporting and strengthening propaganda on food safety regulations in food and street food business.
The Department of Health of Quang Ngai province requires units to seriously implement; in case of problems, they must be reported immediately for timely direction and handling.
Previously, on December 13, Quang Ngai General Hospital and Phuc Hung Private General Hospital received many patients with symptoms of food poisoning, suspected of eating bread purchased at Hong Van bread brand businesses in Nghia Lo and Cam Thanh wards.
