PETALING JAYA: Those experiencing symptoms from the food poisoning incident in Gombak that resulted in two deaths have been advised to get immediate treatment at a healthcare facility to avoid complications.
“The department received a report of food poisoning following a programme in Gombak on Saturday (June 8) which involved 30 primary schools.
“Investigations showed that of the 247 people exposed, 82 (33%) had symptoms and there were two deaths,” state Health director Dr Ummi Kalthom Shamsudin said in a statement on Tuesday (June 11).
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The victims, whose ages ranged from 19 months to 58 years, included event organisers, teachers, school employees and family members.
Their symptoms included diarrhoea, stomach ache, fever, vomiting and nausea.
“A total of 28 cases were given outpatient treatment while there were no hospital admissions.
“Two victims died without receiving treatment from any healthcare facilities,” Dr Ummi Kalthom said.
She said the meal was from an external caterer and samples had been sent to the National Public Health Laboratory in Sungai Buloh to determine the exact cause of the food poisoning.
Dr Ummi Kalthom added that investigations are ongoing to detect new cases and contain any potential outbreak.
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The first fatality was a 17-year-old boy while the second was a toddler aged 19 months.
“Both victims are believed to have eaten the food which their family members brought home,” she said.
“Programme organisers and the public have been advised to be careful when choosing food premises or suppliers and ensure their hygiene,” she said.
She also urged caterers to always ensure that food safety and hygiene are practised.
Gombak OCPD Asst Comm Noor Ariffin Mohamad Nasir confirmed the two deaths earlier Tuesday.
He was quoted as saying the teenager had eaten food brought back by his mother after attending a religious programme at the school on Saturday.
He said that after eating the food, the victim and his parents had diarrhoea, and at 1.30pm on Monday (June 10), the victim lost consciousness.
The second victim ate the food brought by her father, who was on duty as a security guard at the school on Saturday, and was found to have a fever, vomiting and diarrhoea at around 10.45am on Monday.
