Epidemiological Investigation into Suspected Food Poisoning at Busan Snack Bar
Nearly 200 suspected cases of food poisoning have been reported at a snack bar in Busan. Health authorities have launched an investigation into the cause, and it has been reported that the restaurant has since resumed operations.
According to Yeonje District in Busan on October 28, 192 customers who ate gimbap and other foods at a snack bar in Yeonje District on October 19 experienced symptoms of food poisoning such as abdominal pain and vomiting. Eighty-six people were hospitalized for treatment. Most have now completed their treatment, and those who were hospitalized are reportedly being discharged.
Online, posts have been shared by people who experienced food poisoning symptoms starting the night they ate gimbap and other foods at the restaurant. One individual, identified as A, wrote on their blog that after eating at the snack bar on October 19, they "went to the emergency room in tears that night and were hospitalized due to extremely high inflammation levels," adding, "I had diarrhea 13 to 14 times a day, and on bad days, I vomited up to 30 times." A claimed that a stool test at the hospital detected Salmonella bacteria.
According to the city of Busan, the first report of suspected food poisoning was received on October 20. Health authorities visited the snack bar on the day the report was filed, collecting samples from ingredients and cooking utensils as part of their investigation into the cause. The results of the analysis are expected to take about one week.
Given the large number of symptomatic cases, health authorities recommended a three-day suspension of operations at the restaurant. The restaurant complied by disposing of existing ingredients, purchasing new ones, and conducting disinfection and sanitation procedures.
However, under current law, authorities cannot enforce a business suspension until test results are available. As a result, the restaurant followed the recommendation and closed for three days starting October 20, then reopened. It is generally known that sample analysis takes about two weeks.
Yeonje District stated, "Once the test results are available, we will comprehensively review the epidemiological links and decide whether to impose administrative measures such as a business suspension," adding, "We are also continuously monitoring for any additional cases."
Meanwhile, in July, a mass food poisoning incident occurred at a franchise gimbap restaurant in Bangbae-dong, Seocho District, Seoul. More than 200 people were affected, and an epidemiological investigation found that the gimbap ingredients were the source of the problem. At the time, the district office announced that Salmonella bacteria had been detected in many patients with food poisoning symptoms, and that the bacteria matched those found in the ingredients used at the restaurant.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
