Bahrain’s medical community is urging residents to take extra precautions after hospitals saw a rise in food poisoning cases over the past few weeks. Doctors say gastrointestinal illnesses tend to become more common during the summer as heat accelerates bacterial growth and can spoil food left at unsafe temperatures.
While people often associate summer health risks with heat stress, clinicians report that the majority of recent cases are linked to food contamination. Many patients had eaten meals from restaurants, though a smaller number reported issues after eating food prepared at home.
Summer-linked spike reported at hospitals
Doctors interviewed following the increase said the rise is noticeable compared with earlier months. One specialist at KIMS Bahrain Medical Centre said the number of food-related incidents increased by roughly 10% to 15% from June onward, compared with previous periods.
Where the risk appears to be coming from
Medical professionals pointed to several common reasons food becomes unsafe in hot weather. These include inadequate refrigeration, food being kept warm for too long, and dishes sitting at room temperature for extended periods. They also noted that “cook-to-order” practices can contribute if meals are not prepared thoroughly.
Specialists added that improper storage of raw ingredients before cooking can allow contamination to spread, and that reheating food at home without proper temperature control may also raise risk.
Symptoms and advice for residents
Clinicians said the heat can help bacteria act faster, leading to symptoms such as diarrhoea, stomach pain and vomiting. Patients were advised to stay well hydrated during the summer, stressing that dehydration can affect people even when they are not outdoors.
Heat stress less common than gastroenteritis
Other doctors said they were seeing more cases of gastroenteritis and food poisoning than heat-related illnesses. They recommended eating from trusted places or preparing food at home, ensuring proper storage and thorough cooking—particularly for barbecued raw meat and fish.