Salmonella Detected in Samples from Bus Drivers with Food Poisoning Symptoms in Yeongjongdo

Food poisoning bacteria have been detected in samples from bus drivers in Yeongjongdo, Incheon, who showed symptoms of mass food poisoning last month.

Incheon City and Jung-gu District announced today (June 16) that they recently received results from the City Institute of Health and Environment confirming that Salmonella was detected in the samples of 11 bus drivers who used the cafeteria at the public bus garage in Yeongjongdo.

Salmonella is primarily found in animal-based food products such as meat and eggs. When infected, symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever typically appear within 8 to 48 hours.

Health authorities are currently conducting an epidemiological investigation, focusing on menus containing eggs that were consumed by the drivers who exhibited symptoms of mass food poisoning.

Previously, on May 21, 68 people, including bus drivers who used the cafeteria at the Yeongjong area public bus garage in Unbuk-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, reported symptoms of suspected food poisoning such as abdominal pain and diarrhea starting the following day, May 22. Among them, 13 were hospitalized for treatment.

The cafeteria, which suspended operations after the symptoms were reported, is scheduled to resume operations at the end of this month following facility disinfection and inspections.

A Jung-gu official stated, "As a result of testing samples from 50 people, including both those with and without symptoms, Salmonella was detected in 11 individuals," adding, "No additional symptomatic cases have occurred since May 26."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.