Nineteen students residing in the dormitory of Ho Chi Minh City National University were hospitalized consecutively with symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, which are suspected to be caused by food poisoning. Dr. Ho Thanh Phong, the Head of the General Planning Department at Thu Duc Regional General Hospital, reported that the students had visited the emergency room from 10:00 p.m. on May 8 until the early hours of the next morning. Most of them complained of stomach pain, while some exhibited vomiting and diarrhea after their dinner.
Fortunately, none of the students displayed severe symptoms such as dehydration or low blood pressure, and their conditions are currently stable. The hospital suspected that the cases were due to food poisoning and notified the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health. The city’s Center for Disease Control is now working on contacting the patients and investigating the epidemiology of the situation. The cause of the poisoning is still unknown, as it is unclear what the students consumed.
Mr. Lai The Tuan, the Head of the Dormitory General Department of Ho Chi Minh City National University, mentioned that the affected students had eaten at a canteen in dormitory B before experiencing the unusual symptoms. The dormitory management center has instructed the canteen to cease its operations and preserve the status quo for investigative purposes. Samples from the canteen have been taken for testing to determine the root cause.
Last week, 16 students from four elementary schools in Thu Duc City were treated at Le Van Thinh Hospital for suspected food poisoning, with most of them having consumed sushi sold by street vendors near the school gate. Collective poisoning instances have been on the rise in various regions. In response to a recent incident in Thai Binh involving goat blood pudding consumption, resulting in one fatality and 18 other individuals falling ill, people need to be more cautious about food safety practices.
Experts have pointed out that the current hot and humid weather conditions facilitate bacteria growth, speeding up the spoilage of food. Hence, it is essential to maintain proper food preparation, cooking, and storage practices. Eating freshly cooked food and drinking boiled water, along with avoiding cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods, can help prevent food poisoning. It is also recommended to discard any suspected spoiled or contaminated food and maintain good personal hygiene by washing hands diligently before and after handling food.