In mid-February 2025, the Mường Nhé district Health Center received and treated 15 people suffering from poisoning after consuming angel’s trumpet flowers (locally known as “hoa chuông”). Specifically, residents from Huổi Lếch hamlet, Huổi Lếch commune, collected and cooked these flowers into a meal. After consuming approximately two hours, they exhibited symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, headaches, stomach pain, muscle aches, and chills. Fortunately, all victims were promptly treated and eventually discharged from the hospital safely.

Angel’s trumpet, also known as the “Devil’s Breath,” is a common plant in Điện Biên’s mountainous areas. Due to its attractive shape and colors, it is frequently planted as ornamental fences around houses. However, all parts of this plant contain toxins. Mild cases of poisoning cause vomiting, fatigue, and dizziness, while severe cases, if not treated immediately, can lead to kidney and acute heart failure, hallucinations, and paranoia.

Most recently, on the night of March 6, 2025, the Mường Nhé district Health Center admitted three patients suffering from poisoning after eating roasted cassava with natural toxins. The incident occurred in Huổi Quang hamlet, Pa Tần commune, Nậm Pồ district. (Due to its proximity, the victims were treated at the Mường Nhé district Health Center.) Earlier that afternoon, three children dug cassava, roasted it, and ate it with the skin intact. By midnight, all three showed symptoms such as nausea and headaches.

Cassava root, in general, contains high starch content and nutritional value similar to sweet potatoes and potatoes. However, caution must be exercised when consuming cassava to avoid potential risks, especially with high-yield varieties, which contain toxic substances that can be fatal if consumed improperly.

According to the Provincial Inter-sectoral Steering Committee on Food Safety, from 2023 to date, the province has recorded eight poisoning incidents and one individual case, totaling 90 cases, including one fatality. Notably, poisoning victims are predominantly young people and students, mostly involving wild roots and fruits containing natural toxins. For instance, on September 8, 2023, students from Mùn Chung commune, Tuần Giáo district, suffered poisoning after eating coral tree fruits (“quả vông”). Teachers quickly transferred the affected students to medical facilities upon noticing symptoms such as vomiting.

With the onset of the hot season, the risk of food poisoning, particularly from natural toxins, increases significantly. To enhance food safety and poisoning prevention, the Provincial Inter-sectoral Steering Committee has intensified inspections, aiming to raise awareness among food producers, traders, and food service establishments regarding compliance with food safety regulations. Simultaneously, local authorities are stepping up educational efforts, especially targeted at students and children, to heighten awareness of the dangers posed by wild plants and fruits, preventing potential tragedies.

According to Hoàng Xuân Chiến, Director of the Điện Biên provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-department, local authorities need to proactively strengthen educational campaigns to prevent food poisoning, especially from naturally occurring toxins. Areas frequently experiencing poisoning incidents due to consumption of wild plants and fruits require intensified bilingual education campaigns (Vietnamese and ethnic minority languages) directly conducted in schools and residential communities. Educational activities should specifically address recognizing and avoiding naturally toxic plants, such as poisonous mushrooms, moldy corn, and toxic wild vegetables and fruits, to improve public awareness and foster behavioral changes at the community level, ultimately reducing poisoning cases.