A representative from the TP HCM Department of Health stated that 141 cases are being monitored as outpatients, and 43 children are receiving treatment at medical facilities.
Gia Dinh People's Hospital admitted the most cases, with 50. Of these, 22 children have been discharged, and 28 are still undergoing treatment. The children arrived at the hospital with suspected food poisoning symptoms such as: fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Children's Hospital 2 admitted 36 cases; 13 remain hospitalized with stable health, and 23 have returned home for monitoring.
Binh Thanh General Hospital admitted 84 cases, mostly in stable condition and receiving outpatient treatment, with two cases currently being monitored at the hospital.
Binh Quoi Ward Health Station received 13 mild cases, provided medication, and sent them home for monitoring. One child received treatment at Tan Dinh General Hospital and has since been discharged.
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Doctors at Gia Dinh People's Hospital examining child patients with suspected poisoning, afternoon of 9/4. *Photo: Minh Toan* |
Initial test results at Gia Dinh People's Hospital from 10 stool samples revealed 7 positive for Salmonella – a pathogen linked to many large-scale food poisoning incidents. Specialized units, including the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), are continuing to coordinate additional sample collection and bacterial typing to precisely identify the causative agent and source of infection.
The TP HCM Food Safety Department initially noted the suspected meal causing poisoning for 148 students at Binh Quoi Tay Primary School was the lunch on 7/4, which included white rice, braised chicken with ginger, cabbage soup, stir-fried cucumber, plums for dessert, and an afternoon snack of flan.
The health sector has requested hospitals to prepare sufficient medicine and personnel to admit and treat students. They are also coordinating testing to ensure effective treatment and determine the cause of the incident. Doctors are closely monitoring each case's progression, promptly consulting or transferring patients if their condition is severe.
Authorities continue to monitor the remaining students and investigate the food source to prevent similar incidents.
Le Phuong
