On October 10, the Lao Cai Province Food Safety Branch established two working groups, one of which conducted an epidemiological investigation of cases of students with symptoms of digestive disorders being treated at Hung Thinh General Hospital.
The remaining interdisciplinary inspection team will conduct surprise inspections of food safety regulations at kitchens and related food supply establishments.
To determine the exact cause of the incident, the Provincial Food Safety Branch coordinated with the Lao Cai Center for Disease Control (CDC) to collect samples of domestic water, drinking water and food samples used on October 8 and 9 to send to the testing agency to determine the cause.
40 students hospitalized since October 9 have shown good health progress, with reduced symptoms of fever, headache, stomachache, nausea, and diarrhea.
Doctor Hoang Thi Hong Yen (Internal Medicine - Pediatrics Department, Hung Thinh General Hospital) said: After 8 hours of treatment, the patients' health is relatively stable, but they still have diarrhea.
The unit is using a treatment regimen of fluid replacement, antibiotics, and digestive enzymes because the patients have symptoms of intestinal infection.
On October 10, Lao Cai College issued a notice on the temporary suspension of kitchen services at Lao Cai College Campus 1.
The announcement stated: Since the afternoon of October 9, some students eating at the kitchen of campus 1 have shown signs of digestive disorders. After receiving the information, the Principal of Lao Cai College has directed the temporary suspension of cooking activities at the kitchen of campus 1 from October 10 until there is an official conclusion from the authorities.
Assign school leaders and department heads to focus on supporting and resolving related issues to ensure the health and safety of students.
It is known that the kitchen service at Lao Cai College 1 has been operating since August 2023. On average, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on weekdays, the facility provides about 100 meals for students.
