Bacterial infection found in milk tea served by a local establishment has been identified as the cause of food poisoning that sent more than 40 elementary students in the central province of Quang Ngai to the hospital last week, health officials said on Thursday.

The drink was contaminated with staphylococcus aureus, also known as golden staph, a type of dangerous bacterium, according to the Quang Ngai Department of Food Hygiene and Safety.

On May 21, more than 40 students of class 3B at Tran Phu Elementary School threw a party in the classroom to celebrate the end of the school year, treating themselves to the milk tea bought from Uyen Chip Chip, a local shop on Ngo Quyen Street.

The children then had stomachache, nausea, and fever, before being admitted to the hospital. 

The students were all discharged later the same day.

Competent authorities had taken samples from the milk tea at the classroom and at Uyen Chip Chip shop, “all of which were infected with staphylococcus aureus,” Nguyen Van Oai, head of the provincial Department of Food Hygiene and Safety, said, citing test results.

Staphylococcus aureus is frequently found in the nose and on the skin of about 25 percent of healthy people.

People who carry golden staph can contaminate food if they do not wash their hands before touching it. 

It usually does not cause illness in healthy people, but has the ability to make toxins that can cause food poisoning.

The bacterium can also be found in unpasteurized milk and cheese products.

Symptoms of food poisoning caused by the bacterium are vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. 

According to Oai, Uyen Chip Chip shop will be suspended for three months and given a suitable fine for their violation.

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