BEIJING - China reported 2,658 people being poisoned in the second quarter, and among them, 29 were killed, down 50 percent from the same period of last year, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a notice posted on its website Monday.

Among these deaths, 75.9 percent occurred at home, said the notice, adding that domestic cases were mostly induced by bacteria as well as by the accidental consumption of poisonous animals, vegetables and mushrooms.

Ten cases of food poisoning occurred at school, involving 655 people but without any deaths.

In the same period, bacteria-induced food poisoning affected 1,744 people, up 49.4 percent year-on-year.

In addition, three people were killed by rat poison.

The ministry urged health departments at all levels to check for potential food-safety issues and ensure timely and effective treatment for poisoned people.