The Health Ministry has recently discovered a delay in reporting a food-borne disease at a private medical facility in Riyadh, a local newspaper reported.
Dr. Mansour Al-Yusuf, general manager of the Public Health Department in Riyadh, sent a statement to all heads of private and public hospitals, as well as health institutions detailing which bodies are responsible for receiving reports of food poisoning or the breakout of a food-borne disease.
Al-Yusuf urged health officials to immediately report cases of food poisoning using the new form and to call the doctor on duty upon arrival at the health care facility.
In addition, he directed all parties concerned to be very accurate when recording reports of food-related diseases and to test samples from cases of food and chemical poisoning.
The doctor on duty should perform all the necessary laboratory diagnostic testing, including stool analysis and vomit samples for culture, said Al-Yusuf, adding that if the facility is not equipped for such tests, all samples should be sent to the Central Lab and Blood Bank at King Saud Medical Complex.
Stressing on the need for the Infection Department to follow up on the case, he added that the medical team should deliver the results of the diagnostic tests to the assigned team on duty within a week of receiving the samples. Cases of food borne diseases should also be recorded in a special registry.
Medical teams on duty should be prepared at all times in case of breakout to ensure the source is contained, especially if it is a public source.
Officials at the Secretariat of Riyadh and the Department of Preventive Medicine should immediately be informed to ensure they take the necessary measures and coordinate with those concerned.
Health Ministry uncovers delays in reporting food poisoning cases
