On September 19, 88 students and five teachers from Nong Thuong Primary and Secondary School in Bac Kan City had a lunch that included rice, crispy fried chicken, vegetable soup, stir-fried potatoes, and watermelon.
Nong Thuong Primary and Secondary School (Photo by Tienphong)
At around 9 o’clock of the next morning, 20 students among those showed symptoms of high fever, abdominal pain, headaches and diarrhea, and they were taken to a local health centre for emergency care. The number continued to rise to 70 people on September 21. All of them exhibited similar symptoms.
The students all tested positive to Staphylococcus aureu which may be linked to the school’s lunch on September 19 or the water source.
Local authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.
Luckily, the patients have recovered.
Staphylococcus aureus can be found widely in the natural environment and poses a risk of illness and food poisoning. It is resistant to various antibiotics. People are advised to ensure food safety and hygiene, avoiding undercooked foods to prevent bacteria prevention.
