The botulism antitoxin heptavalent (BAT) used to treat patients. Photo suckhoevadoisong.vn

HCM City – The World Health Organization (WHO) has made efforts to find a reliable source of BAT drugs for treating botulinum poisoning in order to assist Việt Nam in effectively managing patients afflicted by the illness.

Since May 13, at least six cases of botulinum poisoning have been reported in Thủ Đức City.

All six patients had symptoms of fatigue, headache, dizziness, stomachache and diarrhoea, then began to have muscle weakness and difficulty swallowing.

Five of them were poisoned after eating bread with pork bologna (giò lụa) sold by street vendors. Meanwhile, the other 45-year-old patient was hospitalised after having fermented fish sauce.

Three children who were hospitalised earlier are now in stable condition after they were given BAT at HCM City's Children's Hospital 2.

But the three remaining patients are still under care as Việt Nam has no BAT left.

According to the Drug Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Health, botulinum poisoning stems from infection with the bacteria Clostridium botulinum.

The cause is the ingestion of bacterial toxins in substandard and improperly preserved food.

Botulinum poisoning rarely occurs in Việt Nam and around the world, which leads to a scarcity of the required medication (botulism antitoxin heptavalent - BAT) worldwide. Therefore, the supply of BAT is limited.

The cost of BAT is also very high. In Viet Nam, BAT is not listed among medicines covered by the health insurance fund.

The Drug Administration of Vietnam has discussed with WHO to procure the necessary drugs for treatment after botulinum poisoning cases found in HCM City.

The Department has also requested Chợ Rẫy Hospital contact import companies and suppliers to secure additional supplies of the essential drugs.

In 2020, the Ministry of Health sought WHO’s support in sourcing BAT drugs to treat patients who were poisoned after consuming vegetarian pate contaminated with toxins.

WHO promptly provided assistance by supplying ten vials of Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) - (Equine), enabling timely treatment for patients.

The Ministry of Health also advises the public to be cautious and avoid preserving or consuming foods that have been processed and stored for extended periods.

This is crucial for maintaining food safety and minimising the risk of poisoning, including botulinum toxin poisoning. – VNS