Almost 450 people were hospitalized in Vietnam earlier this year after a Salmonella outbreak linked to a type of sandwich sold at a bakery. The outbreak occurred in Dong Nai province in May 2024. The Dong Nai Food Safety Department and the Institute of Public Health in Ho Chi Minh City investigated the incident.
A study published in the Western Pacific Surveillance and Response Journal revealed that 547 cases were recorded from April 30 to May 6. Two people were in severe condition, and a 6-year-old boy died. A total of 284 patients were female and 263 were male.
The average age was 35. Among 99 interviewed cases, the mean incubation time was 9 hours, ranging from 2 to 24 hours. The main symptoms were fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Bakery findings All patients had eaten banh mi from a bakery in Long Khanh City. Banh mi is a baguette sandwich filled with pate, Vietnamese pork roll, ham, pork, and pickled vegetables. Salmonella was identified in food samples and clinical specimens.
The bakery halted production, and the outbreak ended after a week. It was a takeaway shop that only sold banh mi. All four vendors and food handlers were interviewed about food processing, routine selling activities, and their history of illness.
Six food samples of pate, pork, ham, pickled vegetables, and two chicken eggs were taken. The bakery has sold banh mi for more than 20 years. Staff estimated that around 1,500 banh mi were sold from April 30 to the morning of May 1.
The baker.
