Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – A suspected food poisoning incident has affected 46 people who attended a year-end party in Ba Ria ward. Individuals began seeking medical attention at Ba Ria General Hospital from the afternoon of 1/2, presenting symptoms consistent with foodborne illness. By the afternoon of 3/2, 16 of those affected had been discharged with medication to continue their recovery at home.

A patient receiving treatment at Ba Ria General Hospital. Photo: Nhi Hoang

The incident occurred after a year-end celebration for a bank, held in Ba Ria ward on the afternoon of 31/1. The event hosted 170 guests. The menu featured a variety of dishes: steamed sea snails, jellyfish, shrimp, and squid salad, steamed free-range chicken with shiitake mushrooms and mustard greens, banh tet served with pickled small leeks, salted roasted mantis shrimp, and sweet and sour grouper hotpot. A restaurant in Xuyen Moc commune catered the meal.

Many attendees reported experiencing symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever the following day, prompting their visit to Ba Ria General Hospital. Authorities have confirmed that no severe cases have been reported as of yet.

Ho Chi Minh City authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, collecting food samples from the party for laboratory testing to determine the exact cause of the suspected poisoning.

Truong Ha