71-year-old man dies in Vung Tau after eating at banh mi stall that sickened hundreds

According to a report from Ba Ria Hospital to the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Department of Health on Friday, the man from the southern beach city was admitted to the hospital at 7:45 a.m. on Thursday. He reported eating banh mi purchased from the “Co Ba Vung Tau” shop on Wednesday morning, and began experiencing unusual symptoms in the afternoon.

His condition worsened the following day, and he died before the cause of death could be determined.

The patient had a medical history of aortic valve replacement four years ago and high blood pressure. Upon admission to the hospital’s Cardiology and Geriatrics department, he was diagnosed with severe gastrointestinal infection, acute kidney damage, aortic valve replacement, and suspected food poisoning. His treatment plan included monitoring, IV fluids, antibiotics, and inhibitors.

By 4:10 p.m. on Thursday, the patient’s condition worsened, with signs of cyanosis, no detectable blood pressure, and no pulse. After intensive resuscitation, the diagnosis was cardiac and respiratory arrest, septic shock from gastrointestinal infection, aortic valve replacement complications, high blood pressure, and acute kidney damage. The patient experienced a second cardiac arrest later, before the family requested to take the him home at 9:30 p.m. He was later confirmed dead.

The family said that “He ate banh mi in the morning, and by the afternoon, he developed symptoms, so we are unsure which food caused the issue.”

According to the hospital report, a medical board is being set up to determine the cause of death. The provincial Department of Health has yet to issue an official statement on the case, and the cause of death remains inconclusive.

In recent days, more than 300 people in Vung Tau have sought medical attention with suspected food poisoning symptoms after eating banh mi from the Co Ba bakery.

As of 3:00 p.m. on Friday, Vung Tau Hospital had received 291 cases, with 124 patients still undergoing treatment. Vietsovpetro Medical Center treated over 60 people, most of whom have been discharged.

The authorities in Vung Tau have inspected the Co Ba stall, collected food samples from the shop, and sent patient samples to the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Public Health for testing to determine the cause.

The main item sold at the stall is banh mi filled with boiled meat, shredded pork, butter, pâté, Vietnamese pork sausage, sauce, pickled vegetables, and herbs. The owner stated that they sell 600-700 portions each day.

Authorities inspect Co Ba bakery in Vung Tau, November 2024. Photo by Read/Truong Ha

Relevant authorities are tracing the source of the ingredients used at the banh mi stall. The stall and related businesses have been suspended while the investigation is underway.