The hot weather is the perfect environment for the most common bacteria that cause food poisoning to grow. The bacteria grow quickly on food, especially protein foods, such as meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, and eggs, and also high-protein vegetables such as beans and grains.

Samples of food taken for testing

Most recently, more than 230 residents have been rushed to the Hoa Vang District Medical Centre in Da Nang after suffering from suspected symptoms of food poisoning such as vomiting, fatigue, and abdominal pain.

In total, 37 of those patients have been transferred to the Da Nang General Hospital and the city’s Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital for further treatment.

According to the municipal Food Safety and Hygiene Management Board, these patients ate home-cooked vegan foods made with ingredients which were bought at the Tuy Loan Market in Hoa Vang District’s Hoa Phong Commune.

Several days later, these people were rushed to the Hoa Vang District Medical Centre for emergency treatment after suffering from stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea. They are all currently receiving treatment in the hospital and said to be in stable condition.

Food sellers at the Nai Hien Dong Market in Son Tra District

Dr Nguyen Dai Vinh, Director of the Hoa Vang District-based Medical Centre, said signs and symptoms of food poisoning may start within hours after eating the contaminated food, or they may begin days or possibly even weeks later. Sickness caused by food poisoning generally lasts from one to 10 days. The symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, and fever. Seniors, pregnant women, young children, and those with chronic diseases are at highest risk for suffering from food poisoning.

Mr Nguyen Tan Hai, the Head of the municipal Food Safety Management Board, advices residents to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water and drying them before handling food, after handling raw food in a bid to prevent food poisoning.

He added that it’s very easy for bacteria to be passed from one food to another during preparation and serving. Be sure to wash plates, utensils, and cutting boards that have touched raw meats, eggs, poultry and dairy products. If you are taking raw foods outdoors always wrap raw meats securely to prevent juices from mixing with ready-to-eat foods.

Last, but not least, it is harmful to eat cooked food that has been in the fridge for a long time because bacteria can still grow even at refrigerator temperatures.

By PHAN CHUNG - Translated by MAI DUNG