More than 360 people poisoned at Nha Trang chicken rice restaurant: 4 dishes containing bacteria identified

Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Health announced initial information on the test results of Nha Trang Pasteur Institute on 19 food samples, hand samples, water samples, and clinical samples, taken on March 13 and 15, related to the poisoning incident that occurred at Tram Anh chicken restaurant (No. 10 Ba Trieu, Nha Trang City).

Tram Anh chicken restaurant temporarily closed after the poisoning incident that hospitalized more than 360 people.

Accordingly, the test results of the remaining chicken rice sample at a household showed that the rice with egg sauce was positive for Salmonella spp and Bacillus cereus strains that produce NHE toxins (non-hemolytic enterotoxins); the shredded chicken sample was positive for Salmonella spp and Bacillus cereus strains that produce NHE toxins and BHL (hemolytic enterotoxins).

Additionally, fried onion samples tested positive for Salmonella spp; a woman's hand tested positive for Staphyloccocus aureus.

In addition, the pickled cucumber sample was found to contain Bacillus cereus bacteria that produce the toxins NHE and BHL.

Nha Trang City leaders visit patients in the poisoning incident.

Combining epidemiological investigation information, clinical symptoms, patient sample testing results and food sample testing results, Khanh Hoa Department of Health determined that this was a food poisoning case caused by microorganisms (Salmonella spp, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus).

Previously, Khanh Hoa General Hospital and Vinmec Nha Trang Hospital tested the stool of 7 poisoned patients and found positive for Salmonella (5 adults and 2 children).

As of 3:00 p.m. on March 18, the Khanh Hoa Department of Health recorded 367 cases of poisoning, an increase of 7 cases compared to yesterday. There are currently 75 patients being treated at 10 local hospitals and medical centers, the rest have been discharged or have been prescribed by doctors for outpatient monitoring. All patients are temporarily stable, some still have mild abdominal pain and reduced fever.

A patient in critical condition, an 18-week pregnant woman, has basically recovered. The patient was transferred to the Department of Internal Medicine, Khanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital for continued treatment.

After the incident, the owner of Tram Anh chicken rice restaurant apologized to the customers and agreed to pay the hospital fees for the hospitalized patients. The restaurant representative supported many patients with nearly 500 million VND.

Salmonella is a toxin commonly found in raw or contaminated meat, poultry, milk, and egg yolks, and is spread through contaminated knives, cutting surfaces, or food handling equipment.
E-Coli is a common bacteria that lives in the intestines of humans and animals. Some strains of E-Coli are capable of producing extremely strong toxins that can cause serious illness; Bacillus cereus is widely distributed in nature, contaminating overnight or long-stored foods, causing food poisoning.

MINH MINH

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