QUANG TRI, (Vietnam): Dozens of people have been hospitalised with suspected food poisoning in Huong Hoa District, Quang Tri Province, after eating bread purchased from a bakery in Tan Son Hamlet, Tan Lap Commune.
Nguyen Viet Duc, Director of the Huong Hoa Regional General Hospital, said 46 patients had been admitted between about 6.30am on Wednesday (April 29) and Friday (May 1) morning, with symptoms such as high fever, repeated loose stools, vomiting, intermittent abdominal cramps, fatigue and dehydration. Most were aged between 11 and 15; the youngest was 50 months old and the oldest was 46.
The majority of patients are pupils at the Huong Loc Ethnic Boarding Primary and Lower Secondary School, from the hamlets of Ra Ty, Pa Xia and Cua. A number of residents from Tan Son and Tan Tai hamlets, also in Tan Lap Commune, are among those affected.
The hospital said patients have received intravenous fluids, oral rehydration, antibiotics and intensive treatment. All cases are currently stable, with no severe cases reported, though most patients continue to experience fever, abdominal cramps, loose stools and fatigue.
Ho Thuy Vinh, chairwoman of the Tan Lap Commune People's Committee, said local authorities convened an emergency meeting after receiving the information. Commune leaders visited patients in hospital, and directives were issued instructing relevant agencies to investigate and report to higher authorities.
A health inspection team collected samples at suspected sites, identified and zoned off the affected area, and monitored public sentiment in the locality. Authorities also co-ordinated with police and health agencies to maintain public order, and worked with the schools concerned to assess the situation and review suspected cases among at-risk pupils. - Vietnam News/ANN
