In recent news, 15 students from four primary schools in Thu Duc City were poisoned after consuming rice rolls sold outside the school gates. The Department of Health in Ho Chi Minh City has identified that the children likely ingested bacterial toxins, possibly from contaminated rice rolls. The affected students, aged 7 to 11, experienced symptoms such as vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, fatigue and diarrhea.
After receiving treatment at Le Van Thinh Hospital, the children’s health has improved. The cause of the poisoning is being investigated by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety and the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control is monitoring the situation in schools and communities.
Recent incidents of food poisoning in other regions of Vietnam have also been linked to contaminated food items. For example, 29 students in Khanh Son district, Khanh Hoa were hospitalized after eating rice rolls and rice balls from street vendors and 37 students in Vinh Truong ward, Nha Trang city were poisoned after consuming different types of food items. Investigations revealed the presence of bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcal enterotoxin-producing strains in these contaminated food items.
These incidents highlight the importance of food safety and hygiene practices to prevent further cases of food poisoning among students and the general population. The Department of Health advises parents to ensure their children eat hygienic food before going to school especially during hot weather conditions that can increase the risk of gastrointestinal infections.
