A mass food poisoning incident in Ho Chi Minh City has now affected 299 people, with 82 still under treatment at 14 hospitals, city health authorities confirmed on the evening of November 11.

As of 4 p.m. that day, patients had sought care at various hospitals across the city after consuming bread purchased from two shops located on Nguyen Thai Son Street (Hanh Thong Ward) and Le Quang Dinh Street (Binh Loi Trung Ward). The first hospital admissions began on November 5.

All patients reported similar symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever - raising strong suspicion of food poisoning.

Significantly, Gia Dinh People’s Hospital - currently treating 37 out of 62 total cases it received - confirmed one patient tested positive for Staphylococcus coagulase-negative, a strain of staph bacteria. Previously, one case tested positive for Salmonella in blood cultures and another in stool samples.

Doctors at the hospital are closely monitoring one patient in serious condition due to pre-existing health issues, while the rest are reported to be in stable condition.

Military Hospital 175 has treated the largest number of cases - 175 in total. Of these, 25 remain hospitalized, none in critical condition. Tam Anh General Hospital has treated 30 cases, with five patients still receiving care and all in stable health.

Becamex International Hospital is treating nine inpatients expected to be discharged soon. Trung My Tay General Hospital admitted seven cases, six of whom have been discharged. Go Vap General Hospital received four cases, and Children’s Hospital 2 treated three.

Other hospitals, including University Medical Center HCMC (both campuses), Binh Dan Hospital, My Duc Tan Binh, Hoc Mon Regional General Hospital, 115 People’s Hospital, and Khanh Hoi General Hospital, each reported between one and four cases - most of whom have already been discharged.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Management Board, current data is insufficient to conclusively identify Salmonella as the sole cause of the outbreak. Investigations are ongoing.

Following the incident, the Vietnam Food Administration under the Ministry of Health promptly coordinated with the city’s food safety agency to demand an urgent report and ensure close monitoring of the situation. Measures are being taken to protect the health of affected individuals and prevent further outbreaks.

The Ministry has directed the Food Safety Board to ensure hospitals allocate necessary resources to provide effective treatment and prevent complications or fatalities among suspected poisoning victims.

The two implicated bread shops have suspended operations. All ingredients and food items have been sealed and are undergoing laboratory testing.

Doctors warn that food poisoning can lead to severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, sepsis, liver and kidney damage - or even death - if left untreated.

Health officials are urging the public to consume only food from clearly identified sources that are stored correctly. Ready-to-eat food establishments must follow hygiene protocols, including maintaining refrigeration below 5°C, requiring staff training in food safety, and ensuring proper hand sanitation during food preparation. Consumers should immediately discard food with any unusual odor or appearance.

Phuoc Sang