Salmonella found in school meal poisoning outbreak that hospitalized 71 students in southern Vietnam

The outbreak was likely caused by cross-contamination during food preparation and storage.

Salmonella, a foodborne pathogen, is commonly transmitted through contaminated food such as eggs, milk, meat and raw vegetables, and can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain.

The bacteria may lead to severe complications in children or the elderly.

According to the provincial department, Sa Dec General Hospital collected 30 clinical samples on May 20 and 21 for laboratory testing.

Results from the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City showed that 18 of the 30 samples tested positive for Salmonella spp.

Based on epidemiological investigations, clinical findings, and laboratory results, authorities determined that the incident was a food poisoning outbreak involving multiple contaminated food sources.

The pathogens identified included Escherichia coli, suspected Bacillus cereus, and Salmonella spp.

Health officials said that the outbreak resulted from cross-contamination during the preparation and storage of the meals supplied to the school.

Between May 19 and May 21, lots of students and adults were admitted to hospital after consuming the school meals.

As of May 22, a total of 81 people had been hospitalized, including 71 students and 10 adults.

Following the incident, the People's Committee of Sa Dec Ward established an inter-agency food safety inspection team and ordered the school to temporarily suspend its meal service beginning May 20.

The Sa Dec 1 regional medical center worked with local authorities to investigate the food poisoning case and collected retained food samples from meals served on May 18 and 19 for testing.

Sa Dec General Hospital also gathered samples from hospitalized patients to support efforts to determine the cause of the outbreak.

Authorities in Sa Dec Ward are currently coordinating with the Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Environment to complete legal procedures and take action against the company responsible for supplying the meals to the school.