Two confirmed dead, over a dozen ill, after eating laksa

via Wikimedia Commons
via Wikimedia Commons

Health officials have confirmed that there have been 19 reported cases of food poisoning, resulting in two deaths, after what is believed to have been consumption of a laksa dish from a hawker in Kupang, Baling. Nine of those who fell ill, including the two deceased, were reported in Perak, while the ten other cases are from Kedah.

Over the weekend, Ministry of Health officials received an alert that two cases of severe food poisoning, with one death, from Gerik Hospital in Perak. After investigating the matter, seven other cases were revealed, all from the same family, who had eaten the same food, from the stall at 9:30pm, on October 4. Symptoms included fever, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Three days later, two more cases were reported at Gerik Hospital, with both individuals reporting to have eaten from the Kupang, Baling stall on October 4. One of the individuals was seriously ill, and referred to a larger hospital in Ipoh. That person later succumbed to their illness.

Ten other cases linked to the laksa have been treated at the nearby Baling Hospital.

Local health authorities are now working to weed out the root of the mass food poisoning, although they have ascertained that the cause was the same food – laksa. Food and clinical samples have been taken, and the stall has been temporarily shuttered by authorities while the investigate the cause of the matter.

Officials have clarified that the incident is localized, and currently under control; however, like with any sudden illness, seek immediate medical attention. As always, make sure the outlet you are buying food from is clean, and that the food looks, smells and tastes right before eating.

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story used what we believed was a stock photo of laksa for illustrative purposes. The photo was a promotional photo for a company unrelated to this story. We apologize for any confusion caused.



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