Food Poisoning Outbreak: How to Protect Yourself from Tainted Food at Dormitories and Schools

According to the General Planning Department at Thu Duc Regional General Hospital, 19 students from Ho Chi Minh City National University’s dormitory were hospitalized with symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. These students were admitted to the emergency room from 10:00 p.m. on May 8 to the early hours of May 9. Most of them experienced stomach pain while some also had vomiting and diarrhea after consuming dinner at a canteen in dormitory B. Fortunately, none of the cases exhibited severe symptoms like dehydration or low blood pressure, and the patients’ conditions were reported as stable.

The hospital suspected food poisoning as the cause and promptly 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 that triggered the symptoms remains unknown.

To prevent food poisoning incidents like this one, experts advise consuming cooked food and boiled water, avoiding leaving food out for extended periods, maintaining proper food storage practices, and practicing good hygiene by washing hands before and after handling food. Cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods should be avoided, and any food suspected of contamination should be discarded.

Recent incidents of food poisoning in other areas have heightened concerns about this issue. For example, 16 students from elementary schools in Thu Duc City displayed symptoms after consuming sushi from street vendors. Experts attribute these incidents to hot and humid weather conditions that create favorable conditions for bacterial growth and food spoilage.

The canteen in question is managed by a catering service company with a food safety certification but only distributes food to dormitories without handling cooking directly on-site. As a precautionary measure, dormitory management has suspended operations at this canteen until authorities investigate further.

Raising awareness about food safety practices is crucial in minimizing risks associated with collective incidents like this one. By following these guidelines, individuals can help reduce their chances of getting sick from contaminated or improperly stored foods.