A series of people, including children, living in an apartment building in Long Binh ward, had a fever, vomited and had to go out continuously after eating bread at a store in the area. It is estimated that about 100 people were affected.
At noon on September 26, speaking with Lao Dong Newspaper, a representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety confirmed that the unit had received information about the incident since yesterday and was urgently coordinating, handling, and investigating.
The suspected poisoning cases were concentrated around the time of eating bread on Tuesday (September 23). Symptoms began to appear the next day and became severe in many people.
Talking to Lao Dong reporter, Ms. Th - a resident - said that both she and her youngest son were affected after eating bread on the afternoon of September 23.
Ms. Th said: "By Wednesday afternoon (September 24), I started to get loose stools, get bored, and feel warm. That same afternoon, I had a high fever and had to go to the fluid infusion clinic. After cutting off the fever, the disease recurred at 8pm, accompanied by continuous bowel movements and vomiting all night".
By Thursday morning (September 25), Ms. Th still had a high fever of 40 degrees and had to go for a check-up. By the evening of the same day, due to the symptoms not decreasing, she was admitted to the Emergency Department of Hoan My Hospital. Here, the doctor diagnosed her with an intestinal infection 10 times more than normal people and is currently receiving a high dose of medicine for treatment.
Her youngest son also had a fever and passed away but has now recovered.
Another case was Ms. N.A.T - also a resident and ate bread at the above shop on September 23. She said she had a high fever, chills, vomiting, dizziness, and had diarrhea many times, and after 3 days (as of September 26), her diarrhea had not improved. Ms. N.A.T was lucky to only suffer from severe burns on the first day, without needing to be hospitalized or given a fluids.
This bakery is identified as being sold right in front of the school gate near the apartment building, where a large number of students and parents often come to buy.
Ms. N.A.T said that the owner of the facility posted an apology post and said he would take the sample for testing, but in addition, no clear action has been taken.
Previously, a representative of the Long Binh Ward People's Committee confirmed that the unit had received reports from the people about the incident and is currently coordinating with the police to verify and investigate.
Residents expressed their hope that the authorities would soon clarify the cause, while ensuring food safety, especially in the school area.
