On May 8th, 21 students living in the dormitory of Ho Chi Minh City National University were rushed to Thu Duc Regional General Hospital with symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. The hospital’s head of general planning department, BS.CK2 Ho Thanh Phong, confirmed that all the students had been admitted to the emergency room from 10:00 p.m. on May 8 until early hours of May 9. Most of them experienced stomach pain while some also suffered from vomiting and diarrhea after consuming dinner at a canteen in dormitory B.
The hospital suspected food poisoning as the cause and immediately notified the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health. Authorities from the city’s Center for Disease Control are currently investigating the outbreak, although the specific food item that triggered the symptoms remains unknown. Mr. Lai The Tuan, head of dormitory general department at Ho Chi Minh City National University, revealed that the affected students had eaten at a canteen managed by a catering service company with a food safety certification before falling ill.
As a precautionary measure, dormitory management center suspended operations at the canteen and is working closely with authorities to investigate by providing food samples for testing. The canteen only distributes food to dormitories and does not handle cooking directly on-site. Recent incidents of food poisoning in other areas have heightened concerns such as cases involving 16 elementary school students in Thu Duc City who displayed symptoms after consuming sushi from street vendors. Experts attribute these incidents to hot and humid weather conditions that create ideal environments for bacterial growth and food spoilage.
To prevent such incidents from happening again, experts advise eating cooked foods and boiled water, avoiding leaving food out for extended periods, maintaining proper storage practices, washing hands before and after handling foods and cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods should be avoided entirely while any suspected contaminated food should be discarded immediately without question.
Food safety practices are critical to minimize risks of collective incidents like this one that could lead to severe health complications or even death if not addressed promptly.
In conclusion, it is crucial for individuals to be vigilant about their health when consuming outside foods or dining at eateries where they are unsure about their hygiene standards or safety practices. It is essential to follow guidelines given by health experts regarding proper storage practices, cross-contamination avoidance measures and always check for safe handling procedures before consuming any meals or snacks outside your home or workplace environment.
