Singapore: Suspected Food Poisoning Sickens 35 Students
Last week, 35 students and two staff members in Singapore experienced symptoms of gastroenteritis following a school camp. Fortunately, none of the affected individuals required hospitalization, according to a joint statement from the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).
The school camp took place at the Ministry of Education’s Labrador Outdoor Adventure Centre from Monday to Wednesday. On Tuesday afternoon, the school informed parents that several students had been experiencing stomach issues since earlier in the day. The message assured parents that the affected students were immediately cared for by camp staff.
In response to the incident, the school and campsite staff disinfected the location and committed to closely monitoring the situation. MOH and SFA have launched an investigation into the cause of the outbreak.
One student recounted his experience, stating that on the second day of the camp, he woke up to find many students in the health clinic suffering from fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. By the end of the day, the clinic was crowded with affected individuals.
It has come to light that the camp’s caterer was previously involved in a food poisoning incident in February, which affected students from another school during their camp. Citing the official investigation, the caterer refused comment.
The Outdoor Learning and Adventure Education Association, representing outdoor education organizers, suggested that the incident could have multiple causes, like a student with a pre-existing condition. However, the exact cause remains under investigation.
China: Food Poisoning Forces Temporary Restaurant Closure
A restaurant in Hangzhou, the capital of China’s Zhejiang province, has suspended operations following reports of “suspicious food” being served to a group of people. The Office of the Food and Drug Safety Committee of West Lake District announced on Sunday that additional testing of the food is underway.
The incident came to light last Saturday morning when health officials reported that 18 members of a performance team had been admitted to a local hospital with symptoms of diarrhea.
In response, authorities from food safety, market supervision, and disease control departments launched an investigation into the restaurant that provided catering services to the team. They have completed a food hygiene inspection of the establishment and interviewed some of the affected individuals.
As part of the ongoing investigation, 41 samples have been collected and sent for laboratory testing. These samples include biological specimens from the affected customers, leftover food, and other food from the restaurant. The test results are pending.
The restaurant has ceased operations while the investigation continues. Further actions will be determined based on the findings of these investigations and sample analysis.
Hong Kong: Restaurant Suspected in Sickness of 9 People
Hong Kong health officials are currently investigating two linked food poisoning incidents that have affected nine individuals, prompting health officials to issue a reminder to the public about the importance of maintaining proper hygiene practices to prevent foodborne illnesses.
The first incident involved six people, two men and four women, aged between 36 and 46 years old. They experienced symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever approximately 10 to 15 hours after dining at a restaurant in the Mong Kok neighborhood on August 28.
The second incident affected three individuals – one man and two women – aged between 28 and 30 years old. They developed similar symptoms approximately 10 to 30 hours after eating at the restaurant on the same day.
Five of the nine sought medical attention, with two requiring hospitalization. Laboratory tests conducted on a stool sample from one of the affected persons revealed the presence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a bacterium known to cause foodborne illness. All patients are reported to be in stable condition.
Initial investigations by health authorities suggest that the affected individuals had consumed the same dish – clams in preserved fish sauce. The presence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in this dish is suspected to be the cause of the illnesses, although a final decision is pending.
In response to these incidents, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) inspected the restaurant, collected food samples for testing, and instructed the establishment to temporarily halt the sale of the suspected dish. The restaurant has also been directed to thoroughly clean and disinfect the business. The staff was also further educated on food safety and environmental hygiene.
Commenting on this article, one national food poisoning lawyer said, “Each of these stories is all too familiar. It is critically important that restaurants, caterers, and other providers of food service follow stringent food safety measures to ensure the well-being of their customers.”
