Dong Nai Department of Health Director Le Quang Trung announced on May 4 that three children who fell seriously ill after eating Bang bread have tested positive for E. coli bacteria. Further test results will be available the following day, and the Department of Health will have a report on whether the E. coli bacteria found in the blood tests match the food samples or not on May 6.
E. coli bacteria are commonly found in fresh produce, beef, fresh milk, juice, cheese, raw fruits, and vegetables. Symptoms of E. coli infection include nausea, vomiting, and watery or bloody diarrhea, with the disease typically appearing 3-4 days after consuming contaminated food. Young children and the elderly are more susceptible to serious complications, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure.
The Dong Nai Children’s Hospital is currently consulting on treatment plans for the seriously ill pediatric patients who contracted poisoning from consuming Bang bread. Authorities have reported 530 suspected cases of poisoning from consuming Bang bread, with most new patients having mild symptoms and being treated at home. However, five children are receiving treatment at Dong Nai Children’s Hospital, with three showing signs of improvement and two remaining on ventilators. One child had a good prognosis while another experienced a cardiac arrest during an emergency at Long Khanh Regional General Hospital. Additionally, a critically ill 6-year-old patient was transferred to Children’s Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City from Dong Nai Children’s Hospital due to severe illness caused by eating Bang bread.
Investigations into Bang bread shop revealed that owner bought ingredients and prepared bread at home before shutting down shop following outbreak incident’s discovery . Authorities are tracing the origin of ingredients used in preparation of poisonous bread samples to identify source of contamination .
