Kelantan Health Dept Shuts Food Premises After Suspected Salmonella Infection

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 Exco member Hilmi Abdullah says the number of cases from a private college in Kota Bharu has risen to 427.
Kelantan government, housing, health and environment committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said 47 samples, including food and water, were taken from the premises for analysis. (Facebook pic)PETALING JAYA: The Kelantan health department has shut down the premises that supplied food to a private college in Kota Bharu following reports of hundreds falling ill from suspected salmonella infection
Local government, housing, health and environment committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said the premises were ordered to close in accordance with Section 18(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
“An inspection was carried out at the premises, and eight food handlers were found at the site.
“A total of 47 samples were collected for lab analysis, including 31 clinical samples from patients, seven food samples, four environmental swabs, four from food handlers, and one water sample,” Harian Metro quoted Hilmi as saying.
On Wednesday, state health department director Dr Zaini Hussin said the suspected source of the outbreak was the chicken curry, believed to have been prepared by an external caterer.
Hilmi said the total number of cases as of 4pm yesterday was 427, up from 343 reported the previous day.
A preliminary investigation found that the chicken curry consumed showed changes in smell and taste.
“Further investigations are being conducted by the Kota Bharu health office.
“The three patients who had been warded earlier have since been discharged and are in stable condition,” he said.
Zaini previously said that those suspected to have suffered food poisoning comprised new students, committee members, and staff of the private college.
He said the salmonella bacteria was suspected to be the cause of the outbreak, with symptoms shown including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and fever. - FMT

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