As of noon on March 2, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health recorded 22 patients who sought examination and treatment at local hospitals after consuming food at A.C. banh mi (vietnamese sandwich) shop on Phan Van Tri Street in Hanh Thong Ward.

Among them, Military Hospital 175 admitted 12 cases, Gia Dinh People’s Hospital treated eight, while Thu Duc Regional General Hospital and Trung My Tay General Hospital each received one case.

According to a report from Military Hospital 175, beginning on the morning of February 27, the hospital continuously received patients presenting with abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, diarrhea and high fever. All had eaten banh mi at the same establishment.

The patients come from various professions and range in age from 30 to 63. Examinations and laboratory tests revealed intestinal infections and electrolyte disorders, including one case of hypokalemia causing muscle spasms. Some patients had fevers reaching 39 degrees Celsius and showed signs of mild to moderate dehydration.

Immediately after receiving the information, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health instructed hospitals to treat patients according to the food poisoning protocol and to submit rapid periodic reports to the Food Safety Department. These reports must detail patient intake, severe cases, microbiological test results and any complications.

Speaking with VietNamNet, a representative of the city’s Food Safety Department said the unit had received the information and was coordinating an investigation. Clinical samples have been collected for testing to determine the causative agent.

Hospitals recommend that residents prioritize food with clear origins and proper hygienic preparation and storage. If experiencing high fever, persistent vomiting, prolonged diarrhea or dehydration, individuals should seek medical attention promptly for timely treatment.

Phuoc Sang