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Queensland Health is scrambling to identify how at least five people were poisoned in Brisbane’s south, with tests confirming they were hospitalised after ingesting rat bait.
The patients presented to the Logan and Princess Alexandra hospitals in the past week.
Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall issued an alert to Queensland Health staff on Saturday, warning them to be on the lookout for symptoms related to the consumption of brodifacoum – a widely used rat poison.
Patients presented to the Princess Alexandra (pictured) and Logan hospitals.Credit: Dan Peled
But on Sunday, McDougall said there was “nothing for the community to be alarmed about at this time” despite the source of the poisoning remaining a mystery.
“Five individuals presented in the last week, from a similar geographically area, with symptoms consistent with brodifacoum poisoning,” she said.
“Thankfully all are well and receiving treatment.
“Investigations are underway to try and determine a link to or source of the poisoning. No link or source has been identified so far.”
Brodifacoum is the active ingredient in rat poison that inhibits vitamin K, which was essential for blood to clot. It can cause bleeding-related complications in humans.
McDougall said clinicians had been asked to monitor for patients who presented with such symptoms.
“This is routine when patterns in patient presentations are identified,” she said.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls said authorities had no idea from where the patients were poisoned, nor whether they had all had food from the same location.
“We don’t know the source of it yet,” he said.
Five people have been poisoned after ingesting rat poison on Brisbane’s southside.Credit: File
“I know there has been some speculation about it, but the Chief Health Officer advises me as recently as this morning that we have not been able to identify the point source for the ingestion.”
Nicholls said investigations were underway to determine the source of the contamination, with unconfirmed reports a takeaway outlet could have been the culprit.
“Whether it’s contaminated eggs or contaminated mayonnaise or rodents, there are strict rules around food preparation food service, and they need to be adhered to,” he said.
“Public health is really important, and that’s why the Chief Health Officer and the public health unit are carrying out really thorough investigations.
“If someone’s done something wrong, then they will know about it, but if they’ve done something wrong, we have to prove it, and we have to make sure that we’ve got the evidence to do it, and that’s what we’re doing now.”
McDougall said anyone with concerns about their health should see their doctor, present to the emergency department or contact 13 43 25.
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