Saudi Arabia: 20 hospitalised after mass food poisoning

Dubai: Twenty people, including five children, were hospitalised due to mass food poisoning after having meals at a restaurant in Al Aqiq Governorate in Al Baha region, Saudi Arabia, local media reported on Sunday.

According to local health authorities in Al Baha region, Al Aqiq Hospital received 195 people who fell sick after eating at the restaurant; 20 of them, including five children, were admitted to Al Aqiq.

Majid Al Shatti, media spokesperson for Al Baha region’s Health Affairs, said the 195 patients suffered from symptoms of food poisoning, like vomiting and diarrhea. Some 175 patients were discharged while the 20 others were admitted. “The hospital received the pinioning cases across three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” he added.

Fahd Al Majmaj, Director General of Health Affairs in Al Baha region, said the Al Baha Health Affairs Department has raised readiness at the region’s hospitals and at the health disaster and crisis centres to be on a high alert in case of transfer of cases to them.