On March 11, according to information from the Da Nang Department of Health, before the risk of severe progression of Botulinum toxin poisoning, the Department of Health reported to the Ministry of Health and requested support for Botulinum detoxifying drugs to serve treatment.
In the afternoon of March 11, the source of Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent (botulism antitoxin serum) drug urgently supported by the World Health Organization will arrive in Hanoi and will be received by representatives of the Da Nang City Department of Health and transported to the hospital for treatment.
Accordingly, on March 10, the Food Safety Department - Ministry of Health issued Official Dispatch No. 363/ATTP-NDTT on supporting anti-Botulism antitoxin serum (BAT). The World Health Organization (WHO) is ready to support the provision of detoxifying drugs. Currently, the Department of Health is coordinating with relevant units to complete procedures for receiving drugs to promptly serve treatment for patients.
Previously, as Lao Dong Newspaper reported, on the afternoon of March 8, Da Nang City Department of Health received a report from Quang Nam Northern mountainous Regional General Hospital, about receiving 3 patients with clinical symptoms suspected of food poisoning due to Botulinum toxin.
The patients include: H.N. T. (15 years old), H.Q. B. (11 years old) and H.Q. N. (7 years old), all residing in hamlet 8, Phuoc Nang commune, Da Nang city.
According to initial epidemiological investigations, all 3 patients ate fermented fish with family members (a total of 6 people) on the morning of July 7. 3. At about 6 pm on the same day, the patients showed symptoms of abdominal pain, frequent vomiting and were taken to the doctor by their families.
Based on clinical symptoms and epidemiological investigation, Quang Nam Northern mountainous Regional General Hospital diagnosed the main disease as: Food poisoning suspected to be caused by Botulinum toxin.
By the afternoon of March 9, patient H.N. T. (15 years old): coma, respiratory failure level 3, being treated at the Intensive Care - Poison Control Department, Quang Nam Northern mountainous Regional General Hospital; patient H.Q. B. (11 years old): coma, respiratory failure level 2, being treated at Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital and patient H.Q. N. (7 years old): sleepwalking, answering questions, respiratory failure level 2, being treated at Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital.
