71 pupils down with food poisoning in Kedah

ALOR STAR: Seventy-one pupils of Sekolah Kebangsaan Tasek Apong in Sungai Petani suffered suspected food poisoning over the weekend after eating 'nasi lemak' with chicken during the school cross-country run on Saturday.
The children were reported to have suffered from vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain at about 10 am yesterday and officers of the Kuala Muda District Health Office made a visit to the school immediately, said Kedah Health director Datuk Dr Norhizan Ismail.
The officers found out that 66 of the pupils did not attend school today and that altogether a total of 71 pupils had suffered the food poisoning, he said in a statement to Bernama today.
"Two pupils were treated at a private hospital. One of them was discharged and the other was warded and is reported to be in stable condition. Three pupils were treated as outpatients at the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital. The other pupils were given home remedies," he said.
Dr Norhizan said the nasi lemak with chicken was ordered from an external caterer for the cross-country run in which 480 Standard Three to Standard Six pupils took part. He also said that an investigation was ongoing to determine the actual cause of the food poisoning.
Dr Norhizan advised parents to take their children for treatment at the nearest health clinic if they suffered from the effects of food poisoning.
“Schools are also advised to ensure that food sold or provided must be via the school canteen because the operators are trained to handle food. They must also monitor the condition of pupils and report to the nearest health office if pupils continue to suffer the effects,” he said.
Dr Norhizan said the people must remember to wash their hands before and after eating and maintain personal hygiene and observe, smell and taste food they bought before eating to ensure that it was safe for consumption. — Bernama