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April
7, 2009
Rojak
food poisoning
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Singapore:
26 more people ill (Vibrio parahaemolyticus)
Source
of Article: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_360681.html
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THE
outbreak of food poisoning among those who ate Indian rojak at a Geylang
Serai hawker centre has worsened, with 10 more victims warded in hospital.
Another
16 were treated as outpatients, said a joint update from the Ministry of
Health and National Environment Agency (NEA) late on Tuesday night.
The
cause of the outbreak is still unknown, but the MoH said preliminary
laboratory investigation showed that two of the cases were positive for
Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a bacteria commonly found in raw or partially
cooked seafood, and is in the same family as those that cause cholera.
A
total of 137 cases have been notified to MoH. Of these, 37 people were
hospitalised, while 100 received outpatient treatment at various Emergency
Departments and clinics. The patients developed onset of illness between
last Thursday and Saturday, said the joint statement.
The
main symptoms experienced by cases were severe abdominal cramps, vomiting,
and diarrhoea.
A
woman canteen assistant has died and another woman is still critically ill
in hospital after eating at the Rojak Geylang Serai stall.
MoH
said although two cases have tested positive for Vibrio parahaemolyticus,
'it could not be currently established that the pathogen is the causative
agent in this outbreak', as investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile,
NEA's continued surveillance of the stalls in the temporary market has
found that the hygiene standards are satisfactory.
NEA
officers have also reminded all the 82 cooked foodstallholders to practise
good food and personal hygiene standards at all times.
Members
of the public are advised to discard any unconsumed food items purchased
from 'Rojak Geylang Serai' stall. Anyone who has patronised the stall and
is experiencing symptoms of food poisoning should seek immediate medical
attention.
If
they have queries, they can call MOH at 1800-2254122.
Click
here
for more information on Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
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