A young traveler from China lost her life in Bali, and others got very sick. They were staying at a budget hostel in Canggu. Around 20 guests suffered from vomiting, diarrhea, chills, and trouble breathing. One of them, Leila Li, spent five days fighting for her life. The friend who died, Deqing Zhuoga, was found in her room, wearing just an unbuttoned blue shirt, surrounded by vomit.

There are many theories about what happened. Some think the hostel was fumigated for bed bugs, and the chemicals might have caused the illness. Others believe the communal dinner the night before could be to blame. Experts say both possibilities need to be looked into.

Dr. Dicky Budiman, a global health expert, explained that mass poisoning from insecticides is rare but possible. He also mentioned that food poisoning after a shared meal is another angle to consider. If the fumigation was done wrong, like in a space with people or without good airflow, it could have caused harm. Or maybe the chemicals got into the food or utensils.

Dr. Ryki Sihombing, an internal medicine doctor, agreed that insecticide or food poisoning could be the cause. But he said it's hard to tell just from the symptoms. He advised that if travelers suspect poisoning, they should bring a sample of the suspected substance to the hospital for testing.

Yusri, who runs a pest control company, said he has never heard of anyone dying from bed bug fumigation. But he warned that some cheap or homemade insecticides can be dangerous. He emphasized the importance of proper ventilation and using licensed chemicals.

This isn't the first time something like this has happened. In Sri Lanka, two young women died in a hostel after it was fumigated. In Turkey, a family of four died under mysterious circumstances, and pesticide poisoning is suspected.

Experts urge travelers to be cautious. If you smell strong chemicals in your hotel room, it might not be safe. Always ask about any fumigation and make sure the area is well-ventilated. If you start feeling sick, go to the hospital right away and tell them about any possible exposure to chemicals.

MASS POISONING

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