The poisoning incident in Khanh Hoa caused many people to be hospitalized. Photo: TTXVN
Continuous poisoning cases
A student at Vinh Truong Primary School (Vinh Truong ward, Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa) died on the morning of April 5. At the same time, a number of other students at this school and Tran Hung Dao Secondary School, Nha Trang City had symptoms of suspected poisoning after eating breakfast at restaurants and street vendors around the schools. The incident made people extremely concerned about the risk of food insecurity around schools.
Previously, on March 31, dozens of students from Nguyen Van Troi High School (Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa) were hospitalized with symptoms of poisoning. According to Khanh Hoa Department of Health, these students were determined to buy chicken dishes sold in front of the school gate to eat.
On March 27, in Quang Ninh, there was also an incident where 33 students of Quang Hanh Primary School were hospitalized due to symptoms of stomach pain and nausea after lunch at school. These students were diagnosed with digestive disorders; Fortunately, all students received timely treatment. The Quang Ninh Provincial Center for Disease Control took 5 food samples and 1 cooking water sample from the catering unit for Quang Hanh Primary School; Take a sample of bottled drinking water at the school on March 27 to test and determine the cause.
In particular, before that, on March 13 in Khanh Hoa, there was also a serious food poisoning case that caused more than 300 people to be poisoned and have to be hospitalized for treatment after eating at Tram Anh chicken rice restaurant on Ba Trieu street, Nha Trang City. After the authorities investigated, took samples and sent them for testing, the test results at Nha Trang Pasteur Institute showed that the rice dish with egg sauce and shredded chicken at Tram Anh chicken rice restaurant was found to be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria and Bacillus cereus strain produces NHE toxin; Shredded chicken samples were positive for Salmonella and toxigenic Bacillus cereus strains NHE and BHL.
A representative of the Department of Food Safety (Ministry of Health) commented: The main cause of food poisoning is due to current weather conditions that are favorable for the growth of pathogenic bacteria, especially bacteria that cause intestinal diseases. intestines, animals and plants containing natural toxins (poisonous mushrooms, insects, trees, forest fruits, seafood…); environmental pollution and lack of clean water for processing and cleaning tools.
Along with that, due to improper processing and preservation of food ingredients and food; The awareness of compliance with food safety regulations of some food production and processing establishments is not strict. The demand for fresh food, unheated food, street food, soft drinks, and ice is increasing at home, collective kitchens, crowded meals, and tourist places…
Regarding food poisoning situations, Dr. Doctor Nguyen Trung Nguyen, Director of Bach Mai Hospital, said: Food poisoning is poisoning caused by substances, bacteria, and toxins. When talking about food poisoning, food acts as a vector – a transmission line that causes poisoning in the body; Bacteria and chemicals in food cause acute and chronic poisoning…
Accordingly, for poisonings caused by bacteria and germs in general, the symptoms are mainly in the digestive tract, with possible additional factors of dehydration, fever, and signs of infection, mainly manifesting in the digestive tract. turns…
In particular, if the patient has additional symptoms of cardiovascular, neurological, numbness, muscle weakness, blurred vision, arrhythmia and a number of other organs that are not due to infection or disease. Caused by dehydration, not a simple gastrointestinal disease, it is necessary to think of poisoning caused by chemical factors or natural toxins in food. If the cases are severe or severe or persistent, continuously not improving, people need to go to a medical facility for examination immediately.
Check food safety at the collective kitchen. Photo: TTXVN
Strengthen inspection and sanction violations
Faced with the recent situation of food poisoning cases continuously occurring, according to a representative of the Food Safety Department, the Department has coordinated with functional units to verify and investigate the cases and find the cause. detect and handle violations.
To proactively ensure food safety and prevent food poisoning in the coming time, the Department has requested the Department of Health of provinces and cities to coordinate with relevant functional units to implement safety measures. food, monitoring food safety risks, preventing food poisoning in accordance with the actual situation in the locality; Pay special attention to the period from April to August of the year.
The Food Safety Department also requires units to strengthen inspection and supervision; which focuses on ready-made meal processing facilities, collective kitchens in industrial parks, schools and food service businesses, street food, and packaged drinking water production and trading facilities. bottles, cans… Units pay attention to appropriate supervision and guidance measures for mobile cooking services, party meals, wedding parties, and crowded death anniversaries in the management area.
At the same time, localities are determined to strictly handle and suspend operations of establishments that do not meet the conditions and do not have a certificate of food safety eligibility; Publicize violations and results of handling violations of organizations and individuals producing and trading food on mass media to promptly warn producers, businesses and the community.
In particular, during the peak month for food safety this year, from April 15 to May 15, 2024, the Central Interdisciplinary Steering Committee on Food Safety will organize delegations to inspect the implementation of directions. , the responsibility of local authorities in ensuring food safety in the management area; Actual inspection at food production, business and advertising establishments.
At the central level, there will be 5 interdisciplinary inspection teams; At the local level, interdisciplinary inspection teams will also be established from the provincial and city levels to the commune and ward levels. Through this, localities promote propaganda, education, raise awareness, determine responsibilities and actions in ensuring food security and safety.