The number of patients exhibiting symptoms is increasing in connection with the mass food poisoning incident involving residents and others at the Saenggeo Jincheon Cultural Festival venue in Jincheon County, North Chungcheong Province, held from September 25 to 28.
According to Jincheon County on September 30, as of the morning of the previous day, 170 people had shown symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. By 6 p.m. that same day, 26 additional suspected food poisoning cases had been reported. Regarding treatment, 40 people are currently hospitalized at Jincheon Jungang Jeil Hospital and other facilities, while the remaining 156 are receiving outpatient care.
The Jincheon County Public Health Center stated, "Fortunately, there have been no reports of patients in critical condition so far."
At the festival venue, restaurants were operated by seven different towns and townships, but the food poisoning outbreak was traced to a restaurant from one particular township, referred to as Township A.
This restaurant reportedly prepared a Korean buffet for 350 people at the time, so the number of suspected cases may continue to increase.
The Chungbuk Institute of Health and Environment is currently testing specimens from patients to determine the cause.
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