Updates on food poisoning incidents (14 April)

14 Apr 2009

'Rojak Geylang Serai' at Geylang Serai Temporary Market

1.  Since the closure of the stall on 4th April, transmission of the infection ceased completely and no further cases of food poisoning have been reported. MOH has concluded its investigations into the food poisoning cases linked to the ‘Rojak Geylang Serai’ stall at Geylang Serai Temporary Market. The cause has been identified as a common source outbreak of Vibrio parahaemolyticus traced to the cross-contamination of rojak and raw seafood ingredients harbouring the bacteria. Laboratory investigation confirmed 13 of the cases to be positive for Vibrio parahaemolyticus, including the first fatal case.

2. No food remnants were available for microbiological testing because the stall had been cleared out by the operators and the rojak food items and gravy discarded as soon as they received customer complaints. Nonetheless, MOH and NEA investigators detected some lapses in food and environmental hygiene.

3. While the exact steps leading to contamination of the rojak food items or gravy are still unclear, we could draw some insights from a previous case on how this could have occurred. In 1983, a similar outbreak of food poisoning involving 34 cases was traced to the consumption of Indian Rojak from a market stall, also at Geylang Serai. The food was prepared in an unlicensed premise at Joo Chiat, where abundant drippings from raw cuttlefish were found to have contaminated the rojak gravy in uncovered containers on the lower shelves of a refrigerator. Swabs taken from the drippings and contaminated gravy were positive for Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The bacteria were also isolated from one of the 7 cases hospitalised. 

4. Death associated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection is rare, and we are awaiting for Coroner’s report on the two death cases.

5. NEA will be taking action against the licensee under the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations.  Pending the outcome of the licensee's prosecution in court, his licence will be suspended.

BaShuRenJia Steamboat Restaurant at 233 Lorong 9 Geylang Road

6. MOH has been notified of another two cases who sought medical attention, bringing the total number of cases thus far to 19. These cases developed onset of illness between 10 and 11 Apr 2009; they had consumed food at the steamboat restaurant from 9 to 10 Apr 2009.

7. 13 food handlers from the steamboat restaurant have been directed by MOH to undergo screening at the Communicable Disease Centre. Results of their tests are pending. 

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.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AGENCY