Food poisoning kills 5 at rehab center in western Mexico

2011-12-27 08:26:28 GMT+7 (ICT)

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) -- At least five people have died after dozens of people became ill while eating at a dinner on Christmas Day at a rehab center in western Mexico, state officials confirmed on Monday.

More than 50 people were eating at the Garam drug addiction rehab center on Sunday evening when they suddenly began suffering from symptoms of food poisoning. The rehab center is located on Federation Street near downtown Guadalajara, the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco.

Oscar Mejia, Emergency Coordinator of the state's Jalisco de la Cruz delegation, confirmed that at least five people have died since getting sick while 37 others have been hospitalized, including some who are in a critical condition. The victims were having soy sausages, vegetables and rice for dinner.

Initial reports indicate the food may have contained cyanide, although further lab tests will determine if the chemical substance was the cause of the deaths. But health officials said two paramedics and one doctor also showed signs of food poisoning after treating the victims, resulting in special protective suits being called in as a precaution.

The local Red Cross said the first victims arrived by themselves just before 10 p.m. local time, while 14 others called emergency services later on. Among those killed is a 15-year-old teenager, state officials said.

One of the victims, 35-year-old Juan Carlos Diaz, told local media that most of the food at the rehab center is donated by volunteers, as is the case at most rehab centers in Mexico. "Yesterday, the members ate first, followed by the workers," Diaz said, as quoted by the El Universal newspaper. "Around half an hour had passed before we noticed and no one ate anymore, but the effects were very fast in some of us."

Officials, workers and cooks were being interviewed by authorities on Monday regarding the origin and preparation of the food.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-12-27

How very sad. People trying trying to get their lives together and get poisoned.