A boy, who was the most severe patient in a food poisoning case caused by banh mi in Dong Nai Province, a neighbor of Ho Chi Minh City, in late April, has been pronounced dead.

The poisoning led to the hospitalizations of over 500 people.

The child patient died nearly one month after receiving intensive care at Children's Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City.

The hospital announced the death of the five-year-old boy on Monday.

The deceased was identified as T.G.H., who was transferred from Dong Nai Children’s Hospital to the Ho Chi Minh City-based hospital on May 4.

The patient had been hospitalized in a state of respiratory failure and septic shock, and had to rely on a ventilator and receive anti-shock fluids.

Despite efforts from doctors to care for and treat the boy for nearly a month, he passed away, said a doctor from the hospital in the southern metropolis.

Over 500 people were hospitalized in late April and early May due to suspected food poisoning after they had eaten banh mi purchased from a local establishment in Long Khanh City under Dong Nai Province, according to the provincial Department of Health.

Banh mi is a type of Vietnamese baguette filled with cold meats, pâté, and vegetables. 

Among the victims were many children who suffered from severe gastroenteritis.

Following the incident, local authorities suspended the operation of the establishment, pending a conclusion of their investigation.

Testing results showed that samples of the banh mi were positive for Salmonella bacteria.

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