On June 15, Chi Lang High School held a meal in the collective kitchen for 400 people, including students studying for exams, teachers, staff, and workers. Out of the 400 people who ate the food, 19 students experienced symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and mild fever. However, laboratory tests did not detect Salmonella bacteria in the samples.
The investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the students’ illness. According to Mr. Do Tan Thanh, Deputy Head of the Food Safety and Hygiene Department of Gia Lai Province, there was not enough evidence to conclude that the incident at Chi Lang High School was a case of food poisoning. The department has reported that there were no signs of cross-contamination or improper handling of food during the preparation process.
However, further tests revealed that the samples sent for testing showed a presence of E.coli bacteria in the pennywort soup, exceeding allowable limits. Still, it was not enough to identify the pathogenic strain responsible for the illness. Hoang Anh Gia Lai University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital reported that the students were infected with E.coli bacteria, but the symptoms did not match those caused by the pathogenic strain.
The hospital also noted that some students had mild dehydration due to their symptoms but were stable and recovering well under medical care. The school administration has since taken steps to improve hygiene practices in the collective kitchen and has provided guidelines on proper food handling and storage to prevent future incidents from occurring.
In conclusion, while there was no conclusive evidence linking Salmonella bacteria to this incident at Chi Lang High School’s meal event, it is still crucial to investigate further into what led to these symptoms and ensure proper hygiene practices are being followed in all public kitchens and schools.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing as authorities continue to look into what caused these symptoms in these students.
