Update on food poisoning incidents(12 April)

12 Apr 2009

'Rojak Geylang Serai' at Geylang Serai Temporary Market

1. Since 9 April, there were no further notified cases to MOH and the total number of food poisoning cases remains the same at 154, with 48 cases hospitalised. Three patients are still recovering in the hospitals. Their conditions are stable. All notified cases had reported their onset of illness in the period from 1st to 4th April. It appears that the transmission had ceased following the immediate closure of the food stall on 4 April.

2.  Investigations point to this incident as a common source outbreak of V. parahaemolyticus food poisoning traced to the consumption of rojak from the "Rojak Geylang Serai" food stall, most likely due to cross-contamination of rojak and raw seafood ingredients harbouring the bacteria.

3. Laboratory results of 3 food handlers, including a food handler from the mee siam stall, are still pending.

4.  Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a bacteria that causes watery diarrhoea and abdominal cramps in nearly all cases, usually with nausea, vomitting, fever and headache. Typically, it is a disease of moderate severity lasting 1 - 7 days. Systemic infection and death rarely occur. Food poisoning is generally not contagious but faecal-oral transmission can occur with poor personal hygiene.

Steamboat restaurant at 233 Lorong 9 Geylang Road

5 In a separate development, MOH was notified of cases of food poisoning involving BaShuRenJia steamboat restaurant yesterday. To date, a total of 14 cases have been notified to MOH, of which 2 were hospitalised. One patient has been discharged while the other is in stable condition in hospital. The patients experienced symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain after consuming food from the steamboat restaurant.

6 Thirteen food handlers from the steamboat restaurant have been directed by MOH to undergo screening at the Communicable Disease Centre. MOH and NEA have conducted checks in the premises of the foodshop, and did not detect any hygiene lapses likely to be linked to the food poisoning cases. The foodshop will remain in operation but being a steamboat restaurant where the patrons usually cook their own food, the operator has been directed to advise its patrons to ensure that their food is thoroughly cooked before consumption.  MOH and NEA will continue with the investigations. 

7 Members of the public who have patronised the restaurant and are experiencing symptoms of food poisoning should seek immediate medical attention. The NEA would also like to urge members of the public dining in such food establishments to ensure their food is thoroughly cooked before consumption.

8 The public is advised to take note of personal hygiene and the cleanliness of the environment, especially when eating out. More information on food poisoning and how you can prevent it to protect yourself and your family is available at MOH’s website (www.moh.gov.sg). For health related queries, members of the public can also contact MOH at 1800-2254122. For feedback on any hygiene lapses, the public may contact NEA at their 24-hr hotline 1800-2255 632.