Up to 71 pupils of a school in northwest Malaysia came down with suspected food poisoning yesterday after food served during the school’s cross-country run event on Saturday.
The children began displaying symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain beginning 10am yesterday, and as many as 66 stayed home from school.
Officers from the District Health Office immediately visited the school upon learning about the situation.
“Two pupils were sent for treatment at a private hospital. One was discharged, but the other was warded and is reported to be in stable condition,” the state’s health director Datuk Dr Norhizan Ismail told Bernama. “Three pupils were treated as outpatients at the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital. The remaining pupils were given home remedies (by their parents).”
It is learnt that the food was ordered from an external caterer for the cross-country run, which saw the participation of 480 Year Three to Year Six students.
“(We) are also advising that schools sell or provide food to students only via school canteens, because the operators are trained to handle food,” Norhizan said.
He added that an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the food poisoning and advised parents to take their children for treatment at the nearest health clinic if they continue to display symptoms of food poisoning.Related stories:
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