8 test positive for Bongkrekic acid in food poisoning outbreak

Taipei, March 29 (CNA) The latest data indicates that all eight individuals designated "severe cases" in an ongoing food poisoning outbreak have tested positive for the toxin Bongkrekic acid, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Deputy Director-General Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) said Friday.

At a press conference, Lo said that among the eight cases, two have died, five remain in intensive care, and one is being treated in a general ward.

As of 5:30 p.m. on Friday, 21 people had reported falling ill after eating at the Xinyi branch of the Malaysian restaurant chain Polam Kopitiam in Xinyi District in Taipei.

Of those, 18 sought medical attention in the Greater Taipei area and Tainan after visiting the restaurant between March 19 and March 24, according to CDC figures.

Update

March 29:  Bongkrekic acid found in 8 food poisoning cases; none in food samples

March 29: Owner of restaurant chain at center of food poisoning outbreak apologizes

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