Unscheduled press conference on suspected poisoning of preschool children due to rat poison in Lai Chau

On the afternoon of November 5, the Department of Information and Communications of Lai Chau province coordinated with the People's Committee of Tam Duong district to hold an emergency press conference on the suspected rat poison poisoning incident that occurred at Giang Ma Kindergarten, Tam Duong district (Lai Chau).

Unscheduled press conference on suspected rat poison poisoning at Giang Ma Kindergarten, Tam Duong District (Lai Chau). Photo: Dinh Thuy.

At the meeting, Vice Chairman of Tam Duong District People's Committee Vu Xuan Thinh said that this was the first and regrettable incident to occur in the district. The District People's Committee has directed the relevant agencies to clarify the cause of the person bringing rat poison into the school. From there, the responsibility of the collective and individuals will be determined and strictly handled according to regulations to serve as a deterrent.

Vice Chairman of Tam Duong District People's Committee Vu Xuan Thinh informed: According to teacher Dinh Thi Huong (teacher at Giang Ma Kindergarten, Tam Duong District), the 25-36 month old kindergarten class has 20 students and 2 teachers in charge, including Lo Thi Thien and Dinh Thi Huong.

This morning, when the incident happened, one teacher was in the restroom, the other was taking care of the children. At around 8:30, when returning to the classroom, the teacher discovered some children holding pink pills suspected to be biological rat poison.

Because the teacher suspected that the children might have used it, he contacted the staff of the commune health station and took the children to Lai Chau General Hospital for treatment.

At around 10am the same day, Lai Chau General Hospital received a total of 20 children. All children were conscious, two of them had symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, and crying.

Initial preliminary assessment of 20 children, 2 children showed signs of suspected poisoning and were given priority for emergency treatment.

Lai Chau Department of Health coordinated with Bach Mai Hospital's Poison Control Center to direct doctors and medical staff to carry out emergency procedures for rat poison poisoning according to regulations of the Ministry of Health and instructions from experts.

Up to now, all children have had their blood tested and performed the necessary clinical tests, received intravenous fluids, and were treated according to the protocol; and their digestive fluids were sent for toxicology testing. Currently, the children's health is stable and they continue to be monitored at the Pediatrics Department, Lai Chau General Hospital.

According to initial assessment, the rat poison called ARS RAT KILLER is a drug containing Vitamin K antagonists (causing blood clotting disorders).

By early this afternoon (November 5), the health of 20 preschool students at Giang Ma Kindergarten, Tam Duong District (Lai Chau) had stabilized. Photo: Dinh Thuy.

On the same day, Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee issued an urgent dispatch on handling suspected rat poison poisoning at Giang Ma Commune Kindergarten.

Accordingly, the Chairman of Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee requested the Department of Health to direct the Provincial General Hospital and medical facilities to concentrate human resources and medical equipment to be ready to perform the best emergency and treatment work for poisoning cases (if any). Timely update the test results of patient samples to determine the cause, provide effective treatment and disseminate information to the people. Invite professional support from central hospitals to ensure that affected children receive timely and adequate medical care.

Tam Duong District People's Committee presides over and coordinates with the Department of Health, Department of Education and Training and relevant agencies to inspect and clarify the cause of the poisoning, determine the responsibility of relevant organizations and individuals and strictly handle the case according to regulations. Timely visit, encourage and support the children's families during the treatment process.

The Department of Education and Training, People's Committees of districts and cities direct the Departments of Education and Training, schools and educational institutions in the province to strengthen measures to ensure safety for students, especially in the management and use of toxic substances. Strengthen inspection and supervision of compliance with legal regulations on school safety, especially the storage and use of toxic substances.

Source: https://danviet.vn/hop-bao-dot-xuat-vu-tre-mam-non-nghi-ngo-doc-do-thuoc-diet-chuot-tai-lai-chau-20241105184029899.htm