Health Law

Food Poisoning is an International Problem

By Marler Clark

The World Health Organization estimates that Food and waterborne diarrhoeal diseases are leading causes of illness and death in less developed countries, killing approximately 2.2 million people annually, 1.9 million of whom are children.  Here are just a few reports around the world of foodborne illness outbreaks reported in the last twenty-four hours.

The Sir Lanka Daily News reports nearly 500 hospitalized. Nearly 500 devotees including children who participated in the Ther festival held at Lilees Land Estate, Wedamulla, Ramboda were admitted to hospitals in Gampola, Pussellawa, Kotmale and Wahugupitiya following food poisoning. Out of these patients, six who were critical have been admitted to Gampola hospital.

It is reported that the devotees had vomited and fainted followed by loose motion after consuming the food.

Indian International Business Times reports that a 18-inch snake served with mid-day meal, 55 fall sick, "gross negligence"

Fifty-five school children between 2 and 6 years have fallen ill after a 18-inch dead snake found in cooked rice of their mid-day meal. All the children started throwing up and were hospitalized immediately. Fifty-five school children between 2 and 6 years have fallen ill after an 18-inch dead snake found in cooked rice of their mid-day meal. All the children started throwing up and were hospitalized immediately.

The cook Maya Konai said "There are many snakes, insects and worms in the shed. I had told the authorities to get it cleaned many times."

The Dubai Daijiworld reports that Little D'Souza Siblings Die After Eating Restaurant Food.  A five-year-old boy Nathan D'Souza, his eight-year-old sister Chelsea D'Souza, and their mother became ill after eating a home delivery from a restaurant serving Chinese food in Al Qusais. Health officials and Dubai Municipality have launched investigations and the restaurant has been closed until the test results are returned.

More than half of Sharjah's restaurants failed basic food hygiene inspections over the past year, and almost 500 of them were temporarily closed. Daily News Papers in UAE reported warnings from doctors last week to minimise eating out during the summer months, especially at smaller eateries where hygiene levels are often of lower standard.

Full post as published by Food Poison Blog on June 15, 2009 (boomark / email).