Siputeh food poisoning: Initial lab results show traces of pesticide, says Health D-G
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry is conducting further investigations to identify the actual source and cause of food poisoning suffered by 37 individuals in Batu Gajah, Perak.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said this included conducting tests on clinical, environmental, food and water samples.
He said, based on the signs and symptoms detected in most of the patients, clinical specialists and public health physicians suspect chemical contamination in the food purchased from the same store, Friday morning.
“According to the laboratory results received until noon yesterday, nine blood samples were found to have traces of cholinesterase.
“This is indicative of exposure to ‘organophosphate’ chemicals’ (pesticides)” he said in a statement here yesterday.
As of Friday, 30 men and seven women aged between two and 71 years have been treated at the Batu Gajah Hospital (HBG) for vomiting and diarrhoea believed to be due to food poisoning.
Twenty-four of the victims were discharged the same evening, nine are still receiving treatment at HBG, while four others are in critical condition and being treated at Raja the Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh.
According to Dr Noor Hisham, among measures taken by the Kinta District Health Office and Perak Health Department were conducting investigations in hospitals and the homes.
“Food, environmental, clinical and water samples at the stall and three factories where the patients worked, have been taken for further analysis,” he said.
People living around Batu Gajah should seek immediate treatment if they experienced symptoms of food poisoning, he added. — Bernama