Dubai: At least five people were hospitalised and several others received treatment for suspected food poisoning after they had a community meal served by a group, Gulf News has learnt.
According to various sources, members of several families belonging to the Dawoodi Bohra community fell ill after consuming the dinner distributed at their homes through their community tiffin service on Tuesday night.
Dubai Municipality’s Food Safety Department confirmed that it is conducting an investigation into the case though the suspected meal was prepared and supplied from a non-commercial community kitchen service that is not licensed by it.
A spokesperson of the department said the investigation team is awaiting confirmation about the pathogen that caused vomiting, diarrhoea and fever, which are likely to be associated with food poisoning, among the patients. He confirmed that at least five patients were hospitalised and 15 others sought treatment on Wednesday.
Sources from the hospital, however, said several dozen patients have so far received treatment from the outpatient clinics.
In an official statement, Dr Zia ur Rahman Shah, director of administration at Zulekha Hospital Dubai, said: “The patients affected by probable food poisoning have been visiting our hospital. To date, there have been no complications and patients are receiving appropriate treatment.”
Dubai Municipality official said it will take some days for the results of the tests and investigation report to be out.
