Taipei, April 29 (CNA) – Deputy Health Minister Victor Wang confirmed today that the death toll from a recent food poisoning outbreak linked to a branch of the Malaysian restaurant chain Polam Kopitiam in Taipei has risen to four. The latest fatality occurred on Monday when a patient succumbed to multiple organ failure.
The deceased individual, identified as a woman in her 40s, had consumed “kway teow” (flat rice noodles) at the Xinyi branch of the restaurant chain in mid-March. Shortly after, she experienced symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea upon returning home.
According to reports, the woman had been under intensive care for over a month. Her condition deteriorated due to multiple organ failure and infection, leading her family to opt for discontinuation of emergency treatment.
This latest death marks the second within a span of three days, following the demise of another patient on Saturday due to similar complications. Two additional deaths were reported last month in connection with the same food poisoning incident.
To date, a total of 35 individuals have fallen ill after dining at the restaurant between March 18 and 24. Among them, three individuals required intensive care, including the patient who recently passed away.
Deputy Minister Wang disclosed that one of the remaining two patients in intensive care has undergone a liver transplant, while the other patient continues to receive critical treatment.
The investigation into this outbreak is ongoing, with authorities closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to prevent further cases of foodborne illness.
