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SINGAPORE : As the family of the first victim of the Geylang mass food poisoning incident prepare for a funeral, another is keeping a close watch as Noraini Kasim fights for her life at Alexandra Hospital.
The 59-year-old, who had eaten Indian rojak from the same hawker stall, is now in a coma.
On Monday morning, 57-year-old Madam Aminah Samijo, who had been in a coma, died without regaining consciousness after being rushed to the intensive care unit of Changi General Hospital.
The hospital had diagnosed the canteen assistant who arrived unconscious, unresponsive and with breathing difficulties, as suffering from gastroenteritis and septic shock.
Hospital officials said they have yet to determine the bacteria that caused the lethal bout of food poisoning and are continuing with tests.
At the Singapore General Hospital, the body of Madam Aminah was handed over to her family at about 12.15pm on Tuesday. Seven family members were present to claim the body, which had undergone an autopsy to determine the exact cause of her death.
The dead woman's son, 23-year-old Salleh Omar told 938Live that Indian rojak was his mother's favourite dish and she had patronised weekly the popular stall known as Rojak Geylang Serai.
Mr Salleh said it was too early to say what action the family will take against the stall owner as the family is concentrating on the funeral.
Speaking at the family flat in Eunos Crescent, Madam Aminah's daughter, Siti, said her mum - who will be greatly missed - was well-liked and a great cook.
Apart from Mdm Aminah, her husband also came down with food poisoning and had to be hospitalised. Also affected was her younger brother Ahmad Samijo, who ate from the stall last Wednesday. He, however, managed to recover from the bout through outpatient treatment.
In all, the Health Ministry had received 111 reports of food poisoning linked to the Rojak Geylang Serai stall at the Geylang Serai Temporary Market.
The victims include a 38-year-old housewife, Rosiah Samat, who received a special treat of Indian rojak from her husband on Friday. The mother-to-be, who ended up with food poisoning, also suffered a miscarriage.
So far, 27 people had to be hospitalised, while the rest received outpatient treatment at various emergency departments for symptoms that include severe abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Preliminary investigations show the cases are associated with the food from the stall, which had been ordered to close after being inspected by the Health Ministry and National Environment Agency (NEA).
The stallholder and his assistant have been told to undergo screening for food borne pathogens at the Communicable Disease Centre, while other stalls in the area have undergone a hygiene inspection.
The precautionary measure by the NEA has found that the other food stalls are satisfactory and stallholders have been reminded to keep a high standard of food and personal hygiene.
Members of the public who have queries can call MOH at 1800-225-4122.
- 938Live/CNA/sf/yt
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