Update on food poisoning incident in Geylang Serai Market (9 April)

09 Apr 2009

1. There were no new admissions today to hospitals of food poisoning cases linked to the "Rojak Geylang Serai" food stall at Geylang Serai Market. To date, the total number of notified cases to MOH stands at 154, with 48 cases hospitalised. There are still 6 patients 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.  Laboratory investigation has further confirmed 13 cases to be positive for Vibrio parahaemolyticus., including the first death. The screening results for three of the five food handlers at the Rojak Geylang Serai stall were negative. The results of the remaining two food handlers are pending.   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.  Ongoing investigations revealed that the foodhandlers at the Rojak Geylang Serai stall used the premises of the neighboring mee siam stall for storage and washing their equipment. They also shared the use of the refrigerator in the mee siam stall. A food handler at the mee siam stall has been referred to Communicable Disease Centre for screening. 

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. However members of the public who have patronized the stall and is experiencing symptoms of food poisoning should seek immediate medical attention.

5. For health related queries, members of the public can contact MOH at 1800-2254122. For feedback on any hygiene lapses, the public may contact NEA at their 24-hr hotline 1800-2255 632.