Verifying information and handling suspected milk poisoning case that caused two deaths

The Food Safety Department said that on October 15, the media reported on cases of death and emergency hospitalization due to suspected milk poisoning in Hoa Hung commune, Cai Be district, Tien Giang province.

Therefore, in Official Dispatch No. 2472/ATTP-NDTT dated October 16, the Food Safety Department requested the Tien Giang Provincial Department of Health to urgently provide information and coordinate with the Vinh Long Department of Health to direct the Hospital where the patient is being treated to actively focus on treating and saving the patient.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident. Photo: Dan Tam

Direct the competent agencies of the Department of Health to coordinate with the local management agency of this product to trace the origin of the suspected milk product, inspect the production facility and stop the circulation of the product, take samples to test food safety indicators (if the suspected product is produced and traded locally). Strictly handle violations of food safety, suspend the production facility of the suspected milk product (if detected) and publicize the investigation results on the mass media.

At the same time, coordinate with relevant authorities in investigating, determining the cause and handling the incident.

Strengthening information, propaganda andeducation on food safety knowledge and measures to prevent food poisoning, to raise awareness, change behavior and habits in food selection, and not use products without labels or unknown origins.

According to the report of the Investigation Police Agency of Cai Be District Police, Tien Giang Province, at 8:00 a.m. on October 15, the Investigation Police Agency of Cai Be District Police received a report from Hoa Hung Commune Police about the death case.

The report stated that at around 6:00 a.m. on October 14, Ms. PTP (born in 1940; residing in Hoa Hung Commune, Cai Be District) woke up and discovered that Mr. PVY (born in 1978, son of Ms. P.) had died. However, the family thought that Mr. Y. died of illness, so they held a funeral without reporting to the local authorities.

At 10 p.m. the same day, Ms. PTMC (born in 1970, Mr. Y's sister) mixed 100 ml of milk for Ms. P. to drink. After drinking, Ms. P. showed signs of chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and vomiting. About 5 minutes later, Ms. P. died at home. The family also thought that Ms. P. died due to illness, so they did not report it to the local authorities.

At around 4am on October 15, Mr. PMT (Mrs. P.’s son) came to assist with the funeral. There, he mixed 150 ml of milk to drink. After drinking about 50 ml, Mr. T. showed the same symptoms as Mrs. P. before, so his family took him to Trieu An – Loan Tam Hospital for emergency treatment.

After being diagnosed with milk poisoning by the doctor, Mr. T. was transferred to Vinh Long General Hospital for treatment. After examination and consultation, the doctor diagnosed the patient with respiratory failure, pneumonia, unknown type of poisoning, multiple organ damage, hypokalemia, hypertension, and alcohol poisoning.

After 6 hours of treatment at Vinh Long General Hospital, the same afternoon, the patient was transferred to Cho Ray Hospital.

The Investigation Police Agency of Cai Be District Police coordinated with the District People's Procuracy, the District Police's Criminal Technique Team and Hoa Hung Commune Police to conduct a crime scene investigation, examine traces of the corpse, collect related documents and objects and work with Ms. P's family members.

Initial verification showed that Mr. Y. and Mr. T. were alcoholics; and Ms. P. had a history of high blood pressure. On October 13, Ms. P. had a cold so her family took her to the commune health station for examination.

Considering the complicated nature of the case and the lack of basis to determine the cause of death, the Investigation Police Agency of Cai Be District Police reported to the Office of the Investigation Police Agency of Tien Giang Provincial Police to receive a proposal from the professional department to support the verification.

Q.FLOWER

Source