The Department of Information and Communications of Lai Chau province coordinated with the People's Committee of Tam Duong district to hold an emergency press conference about the incident of 20 students suspected of being poisoned by rat poison that occurred at Giang Ma Kindergarten, Tam Duong district (Lai Chau).

At the press conference, Vice Chairman of Tam Duong District People's Committee Vu Xuan Thinh informed: According to teacher Dinh Thi Huong (teacher of Giang Ma Kindergarten), the 25-36 month old kindergarten class has 20 students and 2 teachers in charge, Ms. Lo Thi Thien and Dinh Thi Huong.

On the morning of November 5, when the incident occurred, one teacher was in the restroom and the other was taking care of the children. At around 8:30, when returning to the classroom, the teacher discovered that some children were holding pink pills suspected to be biological rat poison.

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The health of 20 children has stabilized. Photo: Nhan Dan

Suspecting that the students may have used the above drugs, the teacher contacted the commune health station staff and took the children to Lai Chau Provincial General Hospital for treatment.

At around 10am the same day, Lai Chau General Hospital received a total of 20 children. All the victims were conscious, 2 children had symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, and crying.

Initial preliminary assessment, out of 20 children, 2 children showed signs of suspected poisoning and were given priority for emergency treatment.

Lai Chau Department of Health coordinated with Bach Mai Hospital's Poison Control Center to direct doctors and medical staff to carry out emergency procedures for rat poison poisoning according to regulations of the Ministry of Health and instructions from experts.

Up to now, all victims have had their blood tested and performed necessary clinical tests, received intravenous fluids, and were treated according to protocol; and their digestive fluids were sent for toxicology testing.

Currently, the health of the children is stable and continues to be monitored at the Pediatrics Department, Lai Chau Provincial General Hospital.

On the same day, Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee issued an urgent dispatch on handling suspected rat poison poisoning at Giang Ma Commune Kindergarten.

To prevent and combat poisoning in schools, especially due to drugs, chemicals, microorganisms... The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Department of Health to direct the provincial general hospital and medical facilities to concentrate human resources and medical equipment to be ready for emergency and treatment of poisoning cases (if any);

Tam Duong District People's Committee presides over and coordinates with the Department of Health, Department of Education and Training and relevant agencies to inspect and clarify the cause of the poisoning, determine the responsibility of relevant organizations and individuals and handle the case; support the victims' families during the treatment process.

In addition, Lai Chau province requested the Department of Education and Training and People's Committees of districts and cities to direct the Department of Education and Training, schools and educational institutions to strengthen measures to ensure safety for students, especially in the management and use of toxic substances.

20 kindergarten students suspected of eating rat poison

20 kindergarten students suspected of eating rat poison

20 students from Giang Ma kindergarten, Tam Duong district, Lai Chau province had to be hospitalized at Lai Chau General Hospital.
Urgent request to clarify the cause of 20 students suspected of eating rat poison

Urgent request to clarify the cause of 20 students suspected of eating rat poison

Lai Chau Provincial People's Committee has just sent an urgent document to functional units to investigate the cause of the case of 20 preschool students in Tam Duong district suspected of being poisoned by rat poison.