Vietnam: 2 pediatric botulism cases reported in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City has just recorded two cases of young children suspected of having botulinum toxin poisoning after a year-end party.
According to Mr. Nguyen Hai Nam, Deputy Chief of Office of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, after the Tet holiday, the City Department of Health received a report from Children's Hospital 2 about two cases of pediatric patients suspected of botulinum toxin poisoning, admitted to the hospital on February 6 and 7.
Based on the report of Children's Hospital 2, it is known that both patients suspected of botulinum toxin poisoning had a history of eating at a family's year-end party in Phuoc Long B ward, Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh City.
Through epidemiological investigation, it was discovered that this year-end party had the participation of 7 people (2 families). Of these, only 2 children had symptoms of poisoning. All the food in the meal was bought at the spontaneous market, the market-goers did not remember the seller clearly.
Through clinical examination, CT-scan, brain MRI, electromyography and other necessary tests, the doctors of Children's Hospital 2 consulted and could not rule out the child having Botulinum poisoning, so a decision was made to use Botulinum antitoxin.
"Currently, the condition of these two children has improved. Of these, one patient has been weaned off the ventilator and is being monitored at the gastroenterology department of Children's Hospital 2. The remaining patient is continuing to be cared for and monitored at the hospital. resuscitation department and is showing good signs of improvement," Mr. Nam said.
Regarding the process of handling poisoning cases, Mr. Nam said that Children's Hospital 2 took stool samples from the patient and sent them to the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Public Health for testing and diagnosis. To date, test results are not available. In addition, the City Department of Health has not yet discovered any more cases in Thu Duc area with similar symptoms.
Deputy Chief of Office of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health said that currently, hospitals under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health still have very few Botulinum antidotes.
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. When ingested, the toxin attacks the body’s nerves. Symptoms typically start with muscle weakness in the face and neck, and then spreads to the torso, arms, and legs. The toxin weakens muscles used for breathing which can lead to death. It is important that anyone ill with symptoms of botulism visit a health care provider immediately to be assessed.