TAICHUNG: Fourteen people sought medical assistance when they felt ill Saturday morning from suspected food poisoning after dining at the Taichung hotel they were staying at the previous evening, according to the Taichung City government.
According to Focus Taiwan, Lin Tzu-chieh, head of the Taichung Veterans General Hospital's Emergency Medicine Department, reported that 13 of the individuals were treated for symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including nausea and vomiting. One individual suffered from dehydration and weakness but all 13 are now in stable condition.
The cause of the illnesses is yet to be determined by the Taichung Health Bureau, Lin noted. Meanwhile, another individual who fell sick was treated at China Medical University Hospital and has been discharged, as per the city government.
The city government stated via a text message that the Office of Food and Drug Safety has dispatched staff to investigate the food and ingredients at the hotel's restaurant. Given the number of people affected, the government may order the hotel to suspend its food service operations, said the office.
If pathogenic bacteria are detected in the food, the hotel may face fines ranging from NT$60,000 (US$1,832) to NT$200 million, as stipulated by food safety laws. Furthermore, if an investigation establishes a link between the food and the illnesses, the case will be referred to judicial authorities for further investigation.
According to the city fire bureau, the incident began when a man at the hotel reported a stomach ache at 11:33 a.m., leading to his hospitalization via ambulance. Subsequently, another 13 people felt sick and sought medical treatment.
The affected individuals were part of a group of over 70 people from Hsinchu staying at the hotel, the city confirmed.