Over 90 pupils at SK Pulau Gaya hit by food poisoning

KOTA KINABALU: Health authorities are probing a food poisoning case involving 91 pupils of SK Pulau Gaya here, and have told the school canteen to stop operations temporarily.

Sabah Health Department director Datuk Dr Asits Sanna said that on Monday (July 22), some pupils started exhibiting symptoms of food poisoning, including vomiting.

He said some 20 children were found to be having symptoms at around noon.

“A check was then carried out to find out how many others were having similar symptoms,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (July 23).

Dr Asits said all the pupils found with food poisoning symptoms were sent for treatment.

The school canteen operations and the Supplementary Food Programme for underprivileged students have been suspended pending the investigation, he added.

He said that of the 91 pupils found to have symptoms, 55 were treated at the Women and Children’s Hospital in Likas, 25 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I, eight at the Luyang Clinic, one at UTC KK Clinic, and two at the Safma Jetty KK.

“So far, most of the students are at the second stage of the illness, while 10% have been allowed to return home,” Dr Asits said.

The cause of the suspected food poisoning was still being ascertained, he said.

He also urged parents and teachers to send any child exhibiting symptoms for immediate treatment.

“Samples of food and drinks are being taken at the moment,” he said, adding that updates would be provided as they become available.