On April 21, according to information from the Nghe An Department of Health, the number of suspected food poisoning cases related to bread has increased rapidly, from more than 20 cases on the afternoon of April 18 to 59 people on the afternoon of April 20. Among them, 4 people have been discharged from the hospital, 3 people are being treated at the commune health station, 2 cases have been transferred, and about 50 patients are being treated at Dien Chau General Hospital, their health is basically stable.
Patients mainly have symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and some cases of fever. Notably, many people started late, and were admitted to the hospital on the evening of April 19 and the morning of April 20.
Initial investigation results show that the patients all ate bread at two points of sale of one establishment in Dien Chau commune. The bread was produced at one main establishment and then distributed to retail outlets. There are currently no official test results to determine the cause.
Regarding the incident, the Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health) directed the Nghe An Department of Health to focus on treating patients, and at the same time urgently trace the origin of food, take samples for testing and control the risk of food insecurity. The related production facility has been suspended from operation to serve the investigation.
Faced with complicated developments, the Nghe An Department of Health has issued a document requesting localities and health units to synchronously implement food safety control measures. Relevant communes must urgently notify people who have used bread at suspected related establishments, proactively monitor their health and go to medical facilities when there are abnormal signs.
Localities are required to establish inspection teams, strengthen supervision, and conduct surprise inspections of street food businesses, especially bread stalls. Violating establishments will be strictly and publicly handled to warn the community; cases at high risk will be suspended from operation.
The health system is required to be ready to receive, provide emergency care, and treatment; arrange sufficient personnel, medicines, supplies, and equipment to handle suspected poisoning cases. Dien Chau General Hospital and Nghe An Friendship General Hospital are preparing plans to receive seriously ill patients, organize consultations and transfer when necessary.
Dien Chau Medical Center and grassroots health stations are assigned to review cases that have used suspected related food, closely monitor new cases in the community, and coordinate to investigate the causes.
Nghe An Department of Health requests units to report daily and promptly when there are unusual developments, in order to strictly control the incident and prevent the risk of spreading.
