The Quang Nam Regional General Hospital, under the Danang Department of Health, confirmed on June 16 that it had received dozens of patients suffering from suspected food poisoning since June 13.
Between June 13 and June 15, the hospital admitted and treated 21 patients presenting symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fever and vomiting.
From the evening of June 15 to the morning of June 16, a further 22 patients were admitted, bringing the total number of suspected food poisoning cases requiring hospital treatment to 43.
Epidemiological investigations found that all patients had eaten banh mi containing processed meat products purchased from a food outlet in Dien Ban Ward, Danang City.
According to doctors, the meals were consumed at around 6.30 am on June 13. The first patient developed symptoms and was admitted to hospital at approximately 8 pm the same day.
The bakery is located about five kilometres from the hospital.
Of the 43 patients, 22 are being treated in the paediatrics department, while the remainder are receiving care in the infectious diseases, gastroenterology and emergency departments.
Patients have reported symptoms including abdominal pain, high fever and diarrhoea.
Nguyen Huu Trung, deputy director of the Quang Nam Regional General Hospital, said stool samples had been collected for laboratory testing to identify the bacteria responsible for the outbreak.
He added that all patients were in stable condition and continued to receive treatment and monitoring. No severe cases have been reported so far.
