Brian Jeffrey
This afternoon, 32 children are currently receiving close observation and care after mistakenly ingesting rat poison. Some of these cases are showing potential signs of brain and heart injury.
On January 24, the Pediatric Center and Poison Control Center at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi reported treating these 32 young patients, predominantly from Phu Binh Primary School located in Tuyen Quang City, Tuyen Quang Province. The children consumed a red liquid that resembles rat poison made in China, confirmed to be fluoroacetate.
Many children drank from small red vials; seven of them ingested considerable amounts—up to a whole vial or one-third of it. These children showed symptoms such as headaches, vomiting, and dizziness, indicating a critical risk of severe poisoning. The rest had only consumed 1 to 3 drops.
Upon their arrival at the hospital, the children were subjected to various examinations and diagnostic tests, including toxicology assessments, urine tests, MRI scans for those exhibiting significant symptoms, and echocardiograms.
One child had seizures during their hospital stay, two presented with signs of brain damage on their MRI scans, and several others showed indications of heart issues. Presently, all children are responsive and are receiving care per established medical protocols. Medical staff are diligently working to eliminate other possible causes of poisoning.
The outlook for these children remains uncertain and will hinge on their condition in the upcoming days.
Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, who leads the Poison Control Center at Bach Mai Hospital, confirmed that tests revealed poisoning from either fluoroacetate or fluoroacetamide, substances typically found in imported rat poisons.
This toxic liquid is often sold in small plastic or glass vials containing pink, colorless, or brown liquids, or in small rice grain-like pellets tinted pink. Many of these items lack proper labels or display foreign-marked indications.
Fluoroacetate is extremely hazardous, impacting the nervous system and could lead to seizures, coma, severe damage to the brain and heart, myocarditis, acute heart failure, arrhythmias, and potentially shock. In severe cases, this can result in multi-organ failure and even death.
This chemical was linked to numerous fatalities from rat poisons in the 1990s and early 2000s, which led to its prohibition in Vietnam. Nevertheless, it continues to be sold illegally, including via the Internet and street vendors.
The Poison Control Center and Pediatric Center are working together with Phu Binh Primary School to find and remove any remaining rat poison vials or hazardous substances from the school premises and nearby areas.
The school is tasked with identifying any additional children who might have ingested the liquid or unknown substances and advising them to seek immediate medical help. Authorities have been notified to investigate the origin of the poison and to ensure that no further hazards exist.
On January 21, some students from Phu Binh Primary School found a bag containing many red and blue vials while playing on a nearby tea hill. They brought one vial back to school and shared its contents with classmates.
Subsequently, other students discovered a different bag filled with pink vials hidden in the bushes on the school grounds and also shared it among themselves.
