64 hospitalized with digestive disorders, suspected link to ‘banh mi’ consumption in Vietnam’s Dak Lak
Within three days starting from Friday last week, the M'Drak Medical Center in Dak Lak Province, Vietnam recorded 64 cases of hospitalization with symptoms of digestive disorders, suspected food poisoning. Many patients stated they had eaten ‘banh mi’ from a local vendor, Doctor Vo Trong Phuc, deputy director of the center, said on Monday morning.
On the night of Friday last week, the center’s emergency department admitted six patients suffering from digestive disorders, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Three of these patients had eaten banh mi from a shop located in M'Drak Commune.
On Saturday last week, the center recorded an additional 39 cases with similar symptoms, with 35 of them also reporting having eaten banh mi at the same location.
By Monday morning, the total number of hospitalized patients had reached 64, scattered across various villages in the commune.
Of these, 38 individuals confirmed they had consumed banh mi from the mentioned shop.
The patients range in age from three to 59 years old.
Phuc stated that the health condition of the patients is now relatively stable.
Five patients were expected to be discharged on Monday morning, while the others will continue to undergo treatment over the next one to two days, he said.
Given the high number of cases with similar symptoms occurring within a short timeframe, the center suspects a possible seasonal diarrhea outbreak in the area.
Efforts are underway to monitor the situation, prevent further spread, and reassure the public.
"We are closely monitoring the epidemiological developments and coordinating with relevant agencies to control the risk of community transmission," Phuc added.
Immediately after the suspected food poisoning cases were identified, the M'Drak Medical Center and local authorities formed an inspection team to conduct a sudden check at the T. banh mi shop, where many patients had eaten.
The inspection found that the food preparation area was hygienic, with a glass cover protecting the food.
The shop owner had previously received training on food safety.
However, the shop failed to provide documents on the origin of the food ingredients.
The person handling and selling the food had no health certificate and did not wear gloves during preparation.
The inspection team documented these findings, collected food samples for testing, and ordered the shop to suspend operations until further notice.
Thanh Ha - Minh Phuong / Tuoi Tre News