United Kingdom
NORTHERN IRELAND – Chicken Wings Recalled Due to Listeria Contamination
A recall has been issued by McCaughey Foods, based in Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, Ireland, for its Glensallagh Salt & Chilli Roast Chicken Wings due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
The product is only sold in Lidl grocery stores in Northern Ireland.
Brand – Glensallagh
Product – Salt & Chilli Roast Chicken Wings
Weight – 350 g
Best Before Date – November 23, 2024
Batch – 051124RC
Consumers with the affected product are strongly advised to not eat it and return it to Lidl for a refund, with or without a receipt.
UNITED KINGDOM – Recall of Tesco Tzatziki Dip Due to Salmonella Contamination
A recall has been issued by supermarket chain Tesco, based in Welwyn Garden City, England, for its Tesco-brand Tzatziki Dip due to presence of Salmonella, a bacterium that can cause serious infections in animals and humans, especially those in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Brand – Tesco
Product – Tzatziki Dip
Weight – 200 g
Use by Date – November 24, 2024
Consumers with the affected product are strongly urged not to eat it and return it to Tesco for a refund, with or without a receipt.
Laos
VANG VIENG – Australian Teenager Latest Death in Rash of Alcohol Poisoning Incidents in Laos
A second Australian teenager has died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, bringing the total death toll to six international tourists. Holly Bowles, 19, passed away in a Bangkok, Thailand hospital after being critically ill for over a week, following an incident that has raised significant international concern, according to the Associated Press.
The incident began on November 13 when Bowles and another 19-year-old Australian, Bianca Jones, fell ill after a night of drinking in Vang Vieng, a popular backpacker destination. Jones had previously died from brain swelling caused by high levels of methanol in her system.
The incident has impacted tourists from multiple countries. Confirmed fatalities include:
- Two Australian teenagers
- A 28-year-old British woman, Simone White
- One American tourist
- Two Danish tourists
New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry also reported that one of its citizens was sickened and potentially affected by methanol poisoning.
Tourist police in Vang Vieng have detained multiple individuals, including the manager and owner of the Nana Backpacker Hostel, though no formal charges have been filed. The hostel remains open but is not accepting new guests.
Multiple countries have issued health alerts for travelers to Laos. The U.S. State Department warned citizens about suspected methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng, specifically cautioning about potentially contaminated alcoholic drinks.
Methanol is sometimes intentionally added to mixed drinks as a cheaper alternative to ethanol, or may inadvertently be present in poorly distilled homebrew liquor. The substance can cause severe poisoning and potentially fatal consequences.
Vang Vieng, located in landlocked Laos, is a popular destination among backpackers seeking adventure and nightlife. The area is situated in one of Southeast Asia’s poorest nations, known for its tight government controls on information.
Laotian government and local officials have provided minimal information about the incident. The Foreign Ministry has refused to comment, and local health offices have deflected questions, citing lack of proper permissions.
The two Australian teenagers were reported to have participated in free shots of Laotian vodka with other hostel guests before returning to the hotel in the early morning hours. They failed to check out as planned and were subsequently found ill in their room.
Holly Bowles’ family stated they found solace in knowing she “brought so much joy and happiness to so many people.” Simone White’s family described her as having “the most wonderful energy and spark for life” and expressed devastation at her loss.
Neil Farmiloe, a New Zealand restaurant owner in Vang Vieng with 20 years of local experience, described the incident as unprecedented. He suggested that no one likely intended to cause harm, characterizing it as a tragic accident.
Thai authorities confirmed that at least one victim, Bianca Jones, died specifically from brain swelling caused by high levels of methanol in her system.
The incident has deeply impacted the close-knit backpacker community in Vang Vieng and raised significant questions about alcohol safety in tourist destinations.
India
NEW DELHI – Delhi Hospitals Report Alarming Rise in Hepatitis A Cases and Liver Failures
Medical professionals in New Delhi are reporting a significant surge in Hepatitis A infections, with hospitals witnessing unprecedented numbers of severe liver damage cases affecting both young children and adults.
Doctors from multiple leading medical institutions have documented an alarming trend. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital have observed a dramatic increase in Hepatitis A infections, with nearly 50 percent of patients reporting liver issues testing positive for the virus.
Laboratory testing has reported stark statistics. Between October and November, 70 out of 145 tested samples were positive for Hepatitis A. The severity of the outbreak is underscored by the fact that four patients required liver transplants in just one week—a number typically seen over an entire year.
Medical professionals in New Delhi have highlighted the critical nature of the outbreak. In the last month alone, three patients have died from Hepatitis A complications. The cases are not only more frequent, but also more severe than previous years.
Local hospital staff have noted a three-fold increase in jaundice cases compared to the previous year. Patients are presenting with increasingly complex symptoms, including internal bleeding and fainting.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Medical experts suspect water contamination, following the monsoon season, as the primary source of the outbreak.
Doctors are pointing to potential sewage contamination in the water supply as the likely transmission route. However, local civic bodies are still awaiting detailed input from the state’s health surveillance unit to confirm the exact source of the infections.
According to a local epidemiologist, hospitals do not report directly to civic authorities and the source of contamination can only be identified through comprehensive surveillance unit investigations.
HYDERABAD – 13 Year Old Girl Dies from Food Poisoning
After being placed on a ventilator 15 days ago, a 13-year-old girl has died from foodborne illness.
The incident began over two weeks ago at an Ashram school in the Kumaram Bheem Asifabad district. Over 30 students experienced symptoms of food poisoning after a school meal. Of those 30, three girls were hospitalized for additional treatment.
Two of the girls were released 10 days ago. The 13-year-old had reportedly shown signs of improvement but her condition began to deteriorate rapidly and she was placed on a ventilator. She later died of multi-organ failure.
HYDERABAD – Student Dies Following Food Poisoning Incident
A 16-year-old female student died on Monday after a month-long medical battle.
The student was one of 63 who fell ill after consuming food at their school hostel on October 30. Fifteen students were initially treated at local hospitals, with the 16-year-old and two other classmates transferred to a medical center for more intensive care.
Upon admission on November 5, the 16-year-old was diagnosed with severe dehydration and subsequently developed kidney complications and a lung infection. She was immediately placed on a ventilator and received continuous renal replacement therapy until November 9.
Her medical condition showed temporary improvement, with doctors allowing her an oral diet and enabling her to talk and move. However, on November 11, she experienced a respiratory arrest, requiring ventilator support and dialysis once again.
The government responded to the incident by suspending the school principal and transferring him along with four other staff members, including an auxiliary midwife nurse and a cook.
Medical records indicate the 16-year-old was critically ill throughout her treatment. Her mother, who described the girl as her only child, expressed distress about the lack of clear communication from medical staff during her daughter’s hospitalization.
After the girl’s death, her body underwent a post-mortem at Gandhi Hospital before being released to her parents for final rites.
The incident has drawn significant attention, with various political figures commenting on the circumstances surrounding the student’s prolonged medical treatment and eventual death.
The case has again highlighted nationwide concerns about food safety and healthcare provisions in tribal residential schools, with several reported incidents of food poisoning in recent weeks.
Commenting on this article, one national food poisoning lawyer said, “The death of any child is a tragedy. However, it is even more so when it is likely that these deaths could have been prevented by following proper food safety standards and protocols.”
