Three die from food poisoning, 60 warded after attending wedding banquet (Updated)

SUNGAI PETANI: Three people died of food poisoning on Monday with two in critical condition and about 60 others have been warded after attending a wedding banquet in Tanjung Dawai near here.

The deceased were identified as Nurshazana Mohd Rashid, 24, Mohd Nor Rahmat Yusof, 11 and Ibrahim Mohamad, 62.

Nurshazana died at about 12.45pm at her house in Kampung Tempoyak, Bedong, while Mohd Nor Rahmat died at about 1pm at Yan Hospital.

Ibrahim, the third victim, died at about 6.30pm at Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital (HSAH) in Sungai Petani.

It is learnt that the victims, who attended the banquet on Saturday, complained of stomachaches and nausea after eating the food served.

Some of the victims were rush to HSAH while others sought treatment at Yan Hospital.

Nurshazana’s cousin Hairul Azhar Harun, 33, said she suffered stomachaches after returning from the banquet and her condition worsened on Sunday.

“We planned to take her to clinic today but at noon she fell in her bedroom and died,” he said.

He said others who attended the banquet also suffered stomachaches but their condition was “not as bad”.

Mohd Nor Rahmat’s mother, Che Norma Khalid, 45, said her son also complained of stomach pain.

“His condition worsened in the morning and he was rushed to Yan Hospital for treatment.

“He became unconscious and died at the hospital. At the banquet, he ate rice and a chicken dish,” she said.

Meanwhile, Kedah Health Department director Dr Ismail Abu Taat confirmed the case and said that the department was investigating.

He said the victims died due to severe dehydration.

“We urged those who ate at the wedding banquet to seek treatment immediately to prevent any more untoward incidents,” he said.

He said the department was closely monitoring the condition of those warded at the two hospitals.