Ice blunder: Re-used animal feed bags spark mass diarrhoea outbreak in Rayong schools

[snoop1130]

 

Shocking revelations have emerged from Rayong province, where a gastrointestinal nightmare unfolded, infecting over 1,400 teachers and students with diarrhoea. The culprit? Ice packed in re-used animal feed bags, a blunder that’s left local government officials scrambling to contain the chaos.

 

Today, November 11, Dr Sopon Iamsirithaworn, Inspector-General of the Ministry of Public Health, Health Region 6, revealed the grim findings after an investigation into the sudden diarrhoea outbreak that struck two schools in Klaeng district since November 5.

 

A staggering 1,436 individuals reported symptoms, including 1,418 students, an infection rate of 31.1%, and 18 teachers and staff members, at 9.8%. The norovirus, a notorious gut-wrenching virus, was cited as the prime cause.

 

The investigation kicked off when a primary school student sought medical attention at a private hospital on November 6. Subsequent tests revealed Norovirus genogroup II in multiple samples. Meanwhile, traces of Enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC) were detected in a secondary school student and Enteroaggregative E.coli (EAEC) in a food preparer at an elementary school.

 

KhaoSod reported that Dr Sopon emphasised that contaminated “water and ice” consumed during recent school sports events were key risk factors. The water supply system in question, reliant on surface water, tested below standard chlorine levels, exacerbating the outbreak.

 

 

In a startling twist, further inspections of the offending ice factory unveiled concerning practices. Despite a valid operating licence and adherence to some procedures, it emerged that the ice was transported using plastic-lined trucks and packed in washed, reused animal feed bags—a veritable recipe for disaster.

 

Dr Sopon outlined a raft of emergency measures to quash the spread:

 

1. Chlorinating drinking and utility water tanks in the affected schools.

2. Collaborating with Muang Klaeng Subdistrict Municipality to enhance the quality of school water supplies.

3. Ordering the temporary cessation of ice sales from the implicated factory and improving sanitation standards on-site.

4. Educating ice factory workers and small retailers on hygiene, especially when handling crushed ice.

5. Instructing schools to halt the use of crushed ice for consumption.

6. Heightened vigilance and disease prevention protocols across all schools to thwart future outbreaks caused by contaminated food and water.

 

Dr Sopon’s no-nonsense approach aims to restore safety and regain trust, ensuring this frosty fiasco remains a one-off. As Rayong schools battle back from this health crisis, parents and staff alike demand accountability and lasting change.

 

By Bob Scott

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-11-11

 

 

[MalcolmB]

7 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

A staggering 1,436 individuals reported symptoms, including 1,418 students,

Imagine the line at the sหitter. 
 

And the tension while they were all waiting their turn.

[kwilco]

42 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

 

Shocking revelations have emerged from Rayong province, where a gastrointestinal nightmare unfolded, infecting over 1,400 teachers and students with diarrhoea. The culprit? Ice packed in re-used animal feed bags, a blunder that’s left local government officials scrambling to contain the chaos.

 

Today, November 11, Dr Sopon Iamsirithaworn, Inspector-General of the Ministry of Public Health, Health Region 6, revealed the grim findings after an investigation into the sudden diarrhoea outbreak that struck two schools in Klaeng district since November 5.

 

A staggering 1,436 individuals reported symptoms, including 1,418 students, an infection rate of 31.1%, and 18 teachers and staff members, at 9.8%. The norovirus, a notorious gut-wrenching virus, was cited as the prime cause.

 

The investigation kicked off when a primary school student sought medical attention at a private hospital on November 6. Subsequent tests revealed Norovirus genogroup II in multiple samples. Meanwhile, traces of Enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC) were detected in a secondary school student and Enteroaggregative E.coli (EAEC) in a food preparer at an elementary school.

 

KhaoSod reported that Dr Sopon emphasised that contaminated “water and ice” consumed during recent school sports events were key risk factors. The water supply system in question, reliant on surface water, tested below standard chlorine levels, exacerbating the outbreak.

 

 

 

In a startling twist, further inspections of the offending ice factory unveiled concerning practices. Despite a valid operating licence and adherence to some procedures, it emerged that the ice was transported using plastic-lined trucks and packed in washed, reused animal feed bags—a veritable recipe for disaster.

 

Dr Sopon outlined a raft of emergency measures to quash the spread:

 

1. Chlorinating drinking and utility water tanks in the affected schools.

2. Collaborating with Muang Klaeng Subdistrict Municipality to enhance the quality of school water supplies.

3. Ordering the temporary cessation of ice sales from the implicated factory and improving sanitation standards on-site.

4. Educating ice factory workers and small retailers on hygiene, especially when handling crushed ice.

5. Instructing schools to halt the use of crushed ice for consumption.

6. Heightened vigilance and disease prevention protocols across all schools to thwart future outbreaks caused by contaminated food and water.

 

Dr Sopon’s no-nonsense approach aims to restore safety and regain trust, ensuring this frosty fiasco remains a one-off. As Rayong schools battle back from this health crisis, parents and staff alike demand accountability and lasting change.

 

By Bob Scott

Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-11-11

 

 

 

 

Yes is an unfortunate incident - and there was another a few months back in Pattaya - but it doesn't account for a general increase in tummy upsets ( it appears to have been Norovirus??0

What it does show is that the Thai authorities have systems in place to monitor these circumstances - we know how corruption is rife in these situations but in general ice/water datories in Thailand are pretty good.

 

If the reports on social media have any credibility, this wouldn't be an outbreak as such, more a general increase.

[thesetat2013]

9 hours ago, kwilco said:

Yes is an unfortunate incident -

Accident?? This was no accident. The ice company deliberately used re-washed animal feed bags to save money. That does not sound like an accident. 

The water supply being below normal standards to drink.. Does not sound like an accident either. These ice companies are supposed to rigidly maintain health standards and filtration systems to avoid contamination. I would hope the families of these kids do not accept their excuses for making kids and teachers sick this way and begin filing lawsuits against the ice company. 

[klauskunkel]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

4. Educating ice factory workers and small retailers on hygiene, especially when handling crushed ice.

They knew exactly what they were doing. "Educating" won't help, setting an example by closing the factory and forcing the owner to pay damages may do the trick.

[Gsxrnz]

I frequently attribute my morning headaches to dodgy ice-cubes. 

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In a startling twist, further inspections of the offending ice factory unveiled concerning practices. Despite a valid operating licence and adherence to some procedures, it emerged that the ice was transported using plastic-lined trucks and packed in washed, reused animal feed bags—a veritable recipe for disaster.

Remove the licence, close the business down and jail the owner.

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

Accident?? This was no accident. The ice company deliberately used re-washed animal feed bags to save money. That does not sound like an accident. 

The water supply being below normal standards to drink.. Does not sound like an accident either. These ice companies are supposed to rigidly maintain health standards and filtration systems to avoid contamination. I would hope the families of these kids do not accept their excuses for making kids and teachers sick this way and begin filing lawsuits against the ice company. 

One reason why I never touch ice or drink from unknown water sources.

[Snackbar]

Thai culture in the dock again

[pattayasan]

4 minutes ago, Snackbar said:

Thai culture in the dock again

 

Oh, the irony is killing me. It's not like the icon of US food culture didn't just have an uncontrolled outbreak of food poisoning.

[Tropicalevo]

50 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

One reason why I never touch ice or drink from unknown water sources.

I always have ice in cold drinks and often drink water from unknown sources.

I do this everywhere that I have travelled.

The only country where it gave me a 24 hour problem - Cambodia - out in the provinces.

(That is not including dodgy curries at 1 am in the morning.)

Yes, if I drop food, I pick it up, wipe it down and eat it.

I am convinced that many woke, ultra clean folk do not have enough good gut bacteria to handle minor issues.

Anti septic wipes, washing your hands 16 times a day etc etc. Not necessarily good for everyone.

[sammieuk1]

Ice ice baby? no toilet toilet to late what a mess  🤔

[EVENKEEL]

I was sitting in a beach bar in Goa, India having a large beer. half way down a bit warm so asked for a glass of ice. As I'm finishing I look around and it dawns on me I really shouldn't have used their ice as I saw not a sole in there drinking with ice. Anyway, all was good. 

 

We don't usually drink free bulk water anywhere. Always order a bottle.

[Sydebolle]

Some really stop at absolutely nothing - name the culprit with photos and full details and throw him/her into the slammer for some "reconsideration time" and get the bills paid. That might include selling the ice factory/business, assets or whatever but drive the message home, once and for ever. 

Despicable, to say the least. 

[Bruce Aussie Chiang Mai]

10 hours ago, Gsxrnz said:

I frequently attribute my morning headaches to dodgy ice-cubes. 

Ice in beer sounds a bit like an Aussie Sheila's Shandy. sit you glass in ice, not ice in your beer.

[Bruce Aussie Chiang Mai]

10 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

Accident?? This was no accident. The ice company deliberately used re-washed animal feed bags to save money. That does not sound like an accident. 

The water supply being below normal standards to drink.. Does not sound like an accident either. These ice companies are supposed to rigidly maintain health standards and filtration systems to avoid contamination. I would hope the families of these kids do not accept their excuses for making kids and teachers sick this way and begin filing lawsuits against the ice company. 

The cow manure we get for the garden always comes in used animal feed bags. Maybe they reused dung bags.

[john donson]

greed and stupidity, a dangerous mix

 

highly available