Gastro cases top 100 as likely cause found

Gastro cases top 100 as likely cause found

A mayonnaise-type spread has been identified as the most likely cause of a food poisoning outbreak in Melbourne that has been linked to the death of a man, 49. More than 100 people have been stricken with gastroenteritis since eating at the Thanh Phu Restaurant and Take Away in Nicholson Street, Footscray. Victoria’s chief health officer Robert Hall said preliminary tests indicated the presence of salmonella in the egg butter used in meat rolls sold at the restaurant. The butter, made from oil, raw eggs and garlic flakes, was prepared on site. “The same strain has been identified in 19 patients so far,” Dr Hall said. Department of Human Services officers are working with Maribyrnong Council to track down suppliers to the restaurant to determine where the salmonella strain originated. The Coroner’s Office is investigating the death of a Doncaster man, who is believed to have eaten a pork roll from the Footscray restaurant. The man was found dead on Tuesday night, three days after it is believed a family member bought rolls from the shop.His mother is also believed to have eaten the rolls and was among those admitted to hospital with food poisoning symptoms.The Department of Human Services said yesterday that the number of cases linked to the restaurant had risen to 106. Nearly all of the people affected had eaten a pork roll, Dr Hall said.Nine people, including a nine-year-old girl, were in a stable condition in Melbourne hospitals yesterday. Dr Hall said the sharp increase in cases – up from 67 on Wednesday – was partly due to the alert put out to hospitals and general practitioners and to media publicity surrounding the outbreak.He said he expected the number of new cases to decline over the next few days. Dr Hall urged anybody who had bought food at the restaurant and who was experiencing the symptoms of food poisoning to contact their doctor immediately. Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain and fever and usually last between two and seven days. Dr Hall said the outbreak showed how important it was that food was stored at correct temperatures.With temperatures expected to reach 33 degrees in Melbourne today, he said food outlets should be particularly vigilant. Restaurants found to be in breach of new food safety laws, passed last year, can be fined up to $200,000. Individuals found to be in breach of the laws could face fines of up to $40,000. It is believed the proprietor of the Thanh Phu Restaurant, Van Hai Hguyen, could also face criminal charges.Dr Hall said no action would be taken until thedead man’s autopsy and laboratory results had been com-pleted.”This unfortunate incident is a good illustration of exactly why we have taken these steps, and why it is so important that food businesses take the issue of food safety very seriously,” Dr Hall said.(Source: The Age By Jamie Berry)