Salmonella sickens over 130 doctors at Mexico City hospital

More than 130 doctors fell ill after eating food contaminated with salmonella in a cafeteria at Mexico City's Eduardo Liceaga Hospital, authorities and affected doctors said Monday.

Dozens of doctors protested outside the hospital, which is part of Mexico's federal health network and is located in a central neighbourhood of the capital.

The hospital said an outbreak was identified on August 31 after a sudden increase in people with gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Health Secretary David Kershenobich said in a social media video that 135 resident physicians were affected and 41 required hospitalization. “All are in good condition,” he said.

Doctors at the protest and statements sent to AFP gave a higher figure, saying there were 227 cases and 67 people hospitalized, including 15 who had to be treated in intensive care.

One affected person, who asked to remain anonymous, told AFP that doctors believed breakfast eggs served on August 31 were the source. She also alleged that food at the hospital was spoiled and that the facility was often without water.

The hospital has a staff cafeteria reserved for resident physicians and specialist doctors, which limited the outbreak's spread. Kershenobich promised an investigation and said food service conditions at federal health institutions would be reviewed.