Over 130 doctors sickened in mass food poisoning at Mexico City hospital

More than 130 doctors at a hospital in Mexico City fell ill in a mass food poisoning incident, suffering from stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting.

Local health authorities said Monday that about 130 doctors at Eduardo Liceaga Hospital in Mexico City showed signs of infection after eating food contaminated with salmonella at the hospital's cafeteria. The doctors ate the contaminated meal on Aug. 31, AFP reported Tuesday (local time).

Dozens of the affected doctors staged a protest outside the hospital that day.

One affected doctor, a woman who requested anonymity, told AFP, "The problem appears to have started with breakfast on Aug. 31, particularly the eggs. Almost all the doctors got sick that night."

"The cafeteria food had spoiled, and insects and mold had even grown on it. The water supply was not properly maintained either," she said.

Health Minister David Kershenobich said in a video posted on social media that 135 medical residents were infected, of whom 41 were receiving inpatient treatment. "All of them are in stable condition," he added.

The hospital said the spread of the outbreak was limited because medical residents and specialist doctors use separate cafeterias.

However, the doctors who took part in the protest said the actual number of infected doctors was 227, of whom 67 were hospitalized and 15 were in intensive care.

Kershenobich said the ministry would conduct a thorough investigation and review cafeteria operations at federal medical institutions.