As of November 9, the number of suspected food poisoning cases linked to two banh mi vendors in Ho Chi Minh City has reached 171, with 65 patients requiring hospitalization across eight hospitals.

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Patients being treated at the Emergency Department of Military Hospital 175. Photo: Nguyen Hue

According to a report from the Medical Affairs Department under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, most patients said they had purchased banh mi from the branch located on Nguyen Thai Son Street (Hanh Thong Ward). A smaller number were linked to a second branch on Le Quang Dinh Street (Binh Loi Trung Ward).

Specifically, Military Hospital 175 reported the highest number of cases, with 105 patients (18 inpatients and 87 outpatients), including four severe cases under close monitoring.

Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City admitted 20 patients, of which 13 were hospitalized and one remains in intensive care.

Gia Dinh People’s Hospital received 36 cases, with four patients still being treated. One patient’s blood culture tested positive for Salmonella bacteria.

Additionally, Binh Dan Hospital reported one case (now discharged); My Duc Tan Binh Hospital is treating a 34-week pregnant woman; Becamex International Hospital has six patients; Trung My Tay clinic has five; and Children’s Hospital 2 has two -  all are under inpatient care.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health said that while most patients’ conditions have stabilized, some severe cases still require close observation. Medical experts believe the symptoms are consistent with gastrointestinal bacterial poisoning, likely caused by Salmonella.

The Department of Health has directed hospitals to follow official treatment protocols for food poisoning and to promptly report severe cases, microbiological test results, and any complications to facilitate coordinated response and management.

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Food safety officials and local authorities inspect banh mi vendors in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: P.T

Immediately upon receiving reports, the Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Management Board, in collaboration with the Hanh Thong Ward People’s Committee, organized an inspection of the Nguyen Thai Son branch starting November 7.

At the time of inspection, the establishment had already suspended operations. Inspectors sealed all ingredients and food items on-site and collected samples for laboratory testing according to regulations.

As for the Le Quang Dinh branch, the inspection team found the location closed on November 8. According to local residents, it operated as a pushcart vendor on the sidewalk and had been in business for over a year.

Investigators also gathered information directly from patients undergoing treatment at Military Hospital 175 and Gia Dinh People’s Hospital.

The city’s Food Safety Management Board has reported the case to the Vietnam Food Administration under the Ministry of Health for coordination. Authorities have stated that they may expand the investigation if necessary to determine the exact cause of the food poisoning.

Phuoc Sang