Initial investigations by Nha Trang's Pasteur Institute into samples from the food served to the victims revealed the presence of bacteria such as Salmonella spp, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus in the chicken and rice with egg sauce. The fried onion samples tested positive for Salmonella bacteria, while Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli were detected in the pickled vegetables.
Water samples from the restaurant were also contaminated with Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Coliform bacteria.
The findings were disclosed late on Monday afternoon by the Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Health, which determined that the food poisoning outbreak was caused by Salmonella spp, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
The health department's report highlighted that more than 360 individuals were admitted to hospitals between March 12-16, exhibiting symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, and fatigue after consuming rice and chicken at Tram Anh Chicken Rice Restaurant on Ba Trieu Street on March 11-12.
Following the outbreak, the restaurant was suspended on March 13 pending further investigation by local authorities.
A subsequent report from the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee revealed that the restaurant lacked proper documentation regarding the origins of its food ingredients.
