West Bandung Health Office: Hundreds of Residents Poisoned due to Bacteria Contaminated Rice

A number of residents who were poisoned were evacuated to a mosque in Cilangari Village, West Bandung Regency, West Java. (ANTARA/Personal Documentation)

BANDUNG - The West Bandung Regency Health Service said that hundreds of residents in Cilangari Village, Gununghalu District, West Bandung Regency, West Java, who were poisoned were allegedly caused by eating rice contaminated with bacteria.

Head of the West Bandung Regency Health Office Hernawan Wijayanto said the bacteria that had contaminated the rice was called Staphylococcus aureus. This, he said, was known after samples of boxed rice consumed by residents were tested at the West Java Regional Health Laboratory (Labkesda).

"In the white rice, it turned out that there were Staphylococcus aureus bacteria positive. Meanwhile, the other samples were safe from bacteria and other chemical contamination", said Hernawan in West Bandung, Antara, Friday, February 17.

He explained that this type of bacteria is commonly found on the surface of the skin, nostrils, and parts of the throat in the bodies of humans and animals. But when the bacteria have moved to the food, according to him, they can multiply more rapidly and eventually cause infection.

"Symptoms caused if you have this infection are diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramps, to nausea and vomiting", he said.

According to him, the bacteria can contaminate food if people infected with Staphylococcus Aureus do not wash their hands when preparing food.

Meanwhile, the Cililin Regional General Hospital (RSUD) noted that 106 residents were poisoned allegedly because they ate boxed rice during a religious event in Cilangari Village, West Bandung Regency.

The head of Cilangari Sabana Village said the religious event took place on Saturday, February 11. After that, on Sunday, February 12, several residents showing symptoms of poisoning were evacuated to the local mosque, then referred to the Gununghalu Community Health Center, and some were even referred to the Cililin Regional Hospital.

Of the hundreds of residents who were poisoned, Sabana said two residents died, namely Rahmat (63) and Aisyah (72).

"The condition of other patients who are younger is getting better, the doctor said they can also be sent home, hopefully, it will get better", said Sabana, Tuesday, February 14.