On the afternoon of 1/5, a representative from Huong Hoa Regional General Hospital announced that the number of suspected bread-related food poisoning cases continued to climb, from over 46 reported early this morning to 68 people by the same afternoon. One person has since been discharged.

Doctors examine a child patient. Photo: Minh Anh.

Patients are currently receiving treatment at the Emergency, Intensive Care, and Anti-poisoning Department and the Infectious Diseases Department. Their health is temporarily stable, with no severe cases requiring transfer to higher-level hospitals. Most patients still experience high fever, intermittent abdominal cramps, frequent loose stools, and fatigue.

Patients are primarily aged 11 to 15, with the youngest being 28 months old and the oldest 87 years old.

Patients being treated at Huong Hoa Regional General Hospital. Photo: Minh Anh.

According to Tan Lap Commune People's Committee, all patients shared a common food source: bread purchased from a facility in Tan Son hamlet between 28/4 and 29/4. Authorities are currently collecting food and patient samples for testing to determine the cause. The bread facility ceased operations on 30/4.

Recently, the country has continuously experienced food poisoning incidents after consuming bread. The cause is often due to accompanying ingredients like pate, vegetables, or meat contaminated with Salmonella bacteria, leading to cross-contamination.

Dac Thanh