Embu school students ate contaminated food, Health PS says

The Ministry of Health says St. Thomas Aquinas Igumori Secondary School students in Embu ate contaminated food.

 This comes hours after reports of suspected food poisoning affecting 68 students at the institution emerged and went viral.

 In a statement, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muriuki says the ministry has established that most students developed complications after consuming a common meal.

 “Students are reported to have experienced episodes of diarrhea and vomiting and developed severe stomach pains after consuming a common meal at the school. Preliminary findings suggest the students may have consumed contaminated beef,” Muriuki’s statement reads in part.

.

Keep Reading business

•  Obodha cleared to take over as Portland Cement MD
•  Troubled Uchumi's creditors to know fate of their billions
•  Why tourism is Kenya's best bet to accelerate economic growth
•  BAT to pay Sh50 dividend despite 19pc profit dip
•  Appetite for Kenya's 'green gold' spawns new crop of millionaires Premium

 “The general public, parents and students are hereby assured that the situation is under control and there should be no panic over the same. The affected students have received the necessary medical attention and are out of danger.”

 The principal secretary reiterated the importance of adhering to strict food safety protocols throughout the entire food chain.

 Following the incident, the affected students were taken to various hospitals for treatment.

 The affected students, all in Form Four, developed severe stomach pains and diarrhea, prompting an urgent medical response.

 The incident unfolded after the students had their meals, with some reportedly complaining of abdominal pain.

 School Principal Paul Mwaniki confirmed that only Form Four students were affected, while others who ate regular meat showed no symptoms of food poisoning.

 “This morning, an incident was reported about students complaining of stomachache and some having diarrhea. We slaughtered a bull Wednesday morning, we ate it, the whole school together with the staff, and then the head was boiled at night and we took it with the candidates yesterday,” he said.

 “As of yesterday, there were no complaints from those who took the red meat and intestines Wednesday, but around 5 a.m., I was told some 11 students were complaining of stomachache. I took them to the nearest hospital, but later the number rose to more than 40 and it was overwhelming.”