http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1040,82344
Archive Number 20100420.1280
Published Date 20-APR-2010
Subject PRO/MBDS> Food poisoning, fatal, pork - Thailand: Lampang, botulism susp, RFI
FOOD POISONING, FATAL, PORK - THAILAND: LAMPANG, BOTULISM SUSPECTED,
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
***************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Sun 18 Apr 2010
Source: The ASTV Manager Online [in Thai, trans. Mod.SCM, edited]
<http://www.manager.co.th/Local/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9530000053104>
A total of 7 people in Lampang who ate Larb, Lu Mu (Lao meat salad
made with raw meat made from a forest pig) are still in hospital, one
of them in severe condition. The initial diagnosis is poisoning by
botulinum toxin.
On 18 Apr 2010, there are 3 cases admitted in Lampang Hospital; a
67-year-old male, a 63-year-old male, and a 49-year-old monk. All of
them had a history of eating Larb, Lu Mu. Symptoms were slurred
speech, chest discomfort and body numbness. Two of the cases
partially recovered with supportive treatment while the 67-year-old
male requires respiratory support because of lungs infection.
Another 3 cases were admitted in Wangnua District Hospital: a
29-year-old female, a 43-year-old monk and a 49-year-old monk.
All 6 cases have partially recovered, however, doctors will not
discharge them until they have fully recovered. Most of the patients
still have some body numbness but the slurred speech has disappeared.
The 7th case is a male, admitted in Phayao Ram Hospital, who is in
severe condition.
The patients are all Huai Num villagers, Moo 14, Rong Koa
sub-district, Wangnua district, Lampang province. They ate Larb, Lu
Moo from forest pig hunted in Doi Khun Song, on the border between
Wangnua district and Doi Saket, Chiang Mai. During the Songkran
festival [traditional Thai New Year's Day, celebrated from 13 to 15
Apr 2010], the raw pork was distributed to more than 100 people in
the village. On 13 Apr 2010, cases with dry mouth, parched throat,
slurred speech and chest discomfort gradually occurred. Initially,
they were sent to a clinic but were then referred to Wangnua
Hospital, Phayao Ram Hospital and Lampang Hospital. There were 2
fatalities; a male aged 47 years and a woman aged 53 years.
A 63-year-old male said he ate a small amount of [the raw pork]. 2
days later he felt his tongue stiff and could not talk. He also felt
numbness in his body. He was taken to hospital and so far he feels much better.
Another case, a 49-year-old monk said that he ate Larb, made from the
same forest pig, with his friends. Approximately 2 days later, he
felt chest discomfort and body numbness so relatives took him to
Phayao Ram Hospital. He was discharged after his condition improved.
On [17 Apr 2010], he developed body numbness and muscle weakness and
was taken to Lampang Hospital.
The cause of this outbreak remains unknown. The results of laboratory
testing are expected next week.
The initial suspected diagnosis is botulism, caused by a toxin
produced by the bacterium _Clostridium botulinum_. It is the same
toxin found in bucket (home-preserved) bamboo shoots in Nan province.
The toxin severely affects the nervous system. The symptoms will
begin in 12-36 hours and can be delayed to 7-10 days if only a small
amount of toxin is ingested. Drinking alcohol will increase the
absorption of the toxin into body.
--
Communicated by:
PRO/MBDS
<promed-mbds@promedmail.org>
[According to the newswire above, the common sources of food
poisoning in this outbreak are Larb and Lu Moo, which were made from
raw pork from a forest pig hunted by villagers. The newswire also
mentions that botulism is suspected, however the actual etiological
agent of this outbreak remains unknown. The actual number of people
who got ill in this outbreak is not mentioned in the newswire. To
date, 2 people have died and 7 others are hospitalized; one is in
severe condition.
Although no antitoxin was mentioned, the description of clinical
symptoms provided in the newswire (dry mouth, chest discomfort, body
numbness and muscle weakness) and the incubation period of the
illness (approximately 2 days) suggest the possibility of a toxin
producing clinical symptoms consistent with botulism.
Foodborne botulism is caused by consuming foods contaminated with a
nerve toxin called botulinum toxin. The toxin is produced by the
bacterium _Clostridium botulinum_. It affects the nervous system and
can cause paralysis and death. Symptoms generally begin 12 to 36
hours after eating a contaminated food, but they can occur as early
as 6 hours or as late as 10 days (see
<http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/botulism/factsheet.asp>).
Information about the previous outbreak of botulism in Nan province,
Thailand, mentioned in the newswire above is available at
<http://www.who.int/csr/don/2006_03_22a/en/index.html>.
PRO/MBDS would highly appreciate receiving more information from
knowledgeable sources about the results of the investigation and
laboratory testings to confirm the etiological agent responsible for
this outbreak of food poisoning in Thailand.
For a map showing Thailand's provinces, see
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_Thailand>. For the
interactive HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Thailand with links to other
recent ProMED-mail and PRO/MBDS postings, see
<http://healthmap.org/r/01dc>. - Mod.SCM]
[see also:
Food poisoning - Thailand: Chiang Mai, RFI 20100205.0388
2009
----
Food poisoning, physic seed - Thailand: Chaiyaphum 20090618.2249
Food poisoning, milk - Thailand: Nakhon Ratchasima, RFI 20090226.0794
Food poisoning, histamine, silkworm - Thailand, China: RFI 20090128.0384
Food poisoning, canned fish - Thailand: Phatthalung, RFI 20090121.0258
Food poisoning - Thailand: Khon Kaen, RFI 20090111.0117]
...................................scm/mj/yma
Archive Number 20100420.1280
Published Date 20-APR-2010
Subject PRO/MBDS> Food poisoning, fatal, pork - Thailand: Lampang, botulism susp, RFI
FOOD POISONING, FATAL, PORK - THAILAND: LAMPANG, BOTULISM SUSPECTED,
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
***************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Sun 18 Apr 2010
Source: The ASTV Manager Online [in Thai, trans. Mod.SCM, edited]
<http://www.manager.co.th/Local/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9530000053104>
A total of 7 people in Lampang who ate Larb, Lu Mu (Lao meat salad
made with raw meat made from a forest pig) are still in hospital, one
of them in severe condition. The initial diagnosis is poisoning by
botulinum toxin.
On 18 Apr 2010, there are 3 cases admitted in Lampang Hospital; a
67-year-old male, a 63-year-old male, and a 49-year-old monk. All of
them had a history of eating Larb, Lu Mu. Symptoms were slurred
speech, chest discomfort and body numbness. Two of the cases
partially recovered with supportive treatment while the 67-year-old
male requires respiratory support because of lungs infection.
Another 3 cases were admitted in Wangnua District Hospital: a
29-year-old female, a 43-year-old monk and a 49-year-old monk.
All 6 cases have partially recovered, however, doctors will not
discharge them until they have fully recovered. Most of the patients
still have some body numbness but the slurred speech has disappeared.
The 7th case is a male, admitted in Phayao Ram Hospital, who is in
severe condition.
The patients are all Huai Num villagers, Moo 14, Rong Koa
sub-district, Wangnua district, Lampang province. They ate Larb, Lu
Moo from forest pig hunted in Doi Khun Song, on the border between
Wangnua district and Doi Saket, Chiang Mai. During the Songkran
festival [traditional Thai New Year's Day, celebrated from 13 to 15
Apr 2010], the raw pork was distributed to more than 100 people in
the village. On 13 Apr 2010, cases with dry mouth, parched throat,
slurred speech and chest discomfort gradually occurred. Initially,
they were sent to a clinic but were then referred to Wangnua
Hospital, Phayao Ram Hospital and Lampang Hospital. There were 2
fatalities; a male aged 47 years and a woman aged 53 years.
A 63-year-old male said he ate a small amount of [the raw pork]. 2
days later he felt his tongue stiff and could not talk. He also felt
numbness in his body. He was taken to hospital and so far he feels much better.
Another case, a 49-year-old monk said that he ate Larb, made from the
same forest pig, with his friends. Approximately 2 days later, he
felt chest discomfort and body numbness so relatives took him to
Phayao Ram Hospital. He was discharged after his condition improved.
On [17 Apr 2010], he developed body numbness and muscle weakness and
was taken to Lampang Hospital.
The cause of this outbreak remains unknown. The results of laboratory
testing are expected next week.
The initial suspected diagnosis is botulism, caused by a toxin
produced by the bacterium _Clostridium botulinum_. It is the same
toxin found in bucket (home-preserved) bamboo shoots in Nan province.
The toxin severely affects the nervous system. The symptoms will
begin in 12-36 hours and can be delayed to 7-10 days if only a small
amount of toxin is ingested. Drinking alcohol will increase the
absorption of the toxin into body.
--
Communicated by:
PRO/MBDS
<promed-mbds@promedmail.org>
[According to the newswire above, the common sources of food
poisoning in this outbreak are Larb and Lu Moo, which were made from
raw pork from a forest pig hunted by villagers. The newswire also
mentions that botulism is suspected, however the actual etiological
agent of this outbreak remains unknown. The actual number of people
who got ill in this outbreak is not mentioned in the newswire. To
date, 2 people have died and 7 others are hospitalized; one is in
severe condition.
Although no antitoxin was mentioned, the description of clinical
symptoms provided in the newswire (dry mouth, chest discomfort, body
numbness and muscle weakness) and the incubation period of the
illness (approximately 2 days) suggest the possibility of a toxin
producing clinical symptoms consistent with botulism.
Foodborne botulism is caused by consuming foods contaminated with a
nerve toxin called botulinum toxin. The toxin is produced by the
bacterium _Clostridium botulinum_. It affects the nervous system and
can cause paralysis and death. Symptoms generally begin 12 to 36
hours after eating a contaminated food, but they can occur as early
as 6 hours or as late as 10 days (see
<http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/botulism/factsheet.asp>).
Information about the previous outbreak of botulism in Nan province,
Thailand, mentioned in the newswire above is available at
<http://www.who.int/csr/don/2006_03_22a/en/index.html>.
PRO/MBDS would highly appreciate receiving more information from
knowledgeable sources about the results of the investigation and
laboratory testings to confirm the etiological agent responsible for
this outbreak of food poisoning in Thailand.
For a map showing Thailand's provinces, see
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_Thailand>. For the
interactive HealthMap/ProMED-mail map of Thailand with links to other
recent ProMED-mail and PRO/MBDS postings, see
<http://healthmap.org/r/01dc>. - Mod.SCM]
[see also:
Food poisoning - Thailand: Chiang Mai, RFI 20100205.0388
2009
----
Food poisoning, physic seed - Thailand: Chaiyaphum 20090618.2249
Food poisoning, milk - Thailand: Nakhon Ratchasima, RFI 20090226.0794
Food poisoning, histamine, silkworm - Thailand, China: RFI 20090128.0384
Food poisoning, canned fish - Thailand: Phatthalung, RFI 20090121.0258
Food poisoning - Thailand: Khon Kaen, RFI 20090111.0117]
...................................scm/mj/yma