Society

72 Fall Ill and One Dies After Eating Boxed Meals in Tochigi

Tochigi, Apr 14 (News On Japan) - A total of 72 people reported symptoms of food poisoning after eating boxed lunches from a catering shop in Tochigi Prefecture, with one person confirmed dead. Local authorities have identified the cause as a norovirus outbreak.

According to Tochigi Prefecture officials, the incident involves meals prepared and served on April 9th by a catering service called Kikyo in the city of Tochigi. The affected individuals, both men and women, experienced symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.

As norovirus was detected in the investigation, the prefectural government officially designated the case as a mass food poisoning incident and has ordered the suspension of the shop's operations.

Two of the 72 individuals were hospitalized. While a direct link to the food poisoning has yet to be confirmed, one of the hospitalized patients—an elderly man in his 80s—died.

A woman who consumed a Kikyo bento on the afternoon of April 9th and later experienced intense vomiting and diarrhea gave an interview describing her condition.

"My stomach felt extremely nauseous, and I ran to the bathroom. I started vomiting with such force—it just wouldn’t stop. I could hardly breathe," she said.

At the woman’s workplace, at least four people reportedly suffered symptoms consistent with food poisoning after eating the same boxed meals.

In a statement, the shop apologized and said it would "make every effort to rebuild its hygiene management system and regain public trust."

Source: TBS

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