Public health inspectors from the Ambagamuwa Medical Officer of Health Office have visited the school today and begun an investigation into the sudden illness of about 50 children at the Dikoya Srivani Tamil School, which is under the control of the Hatton Zonal Education Office.
The parents of the 5th grade students at the school admitted 25 children to the Dikoya Base Hospital after they developed symptoms of dizziness, vomiting and diarrhea since the afternoon of the 10th, said Dr. K. Arul, Assistant Director of the Dikoya Base Hospital.
The Assistant Director said that another group of students have received treatment at private medical centers in Dickoya and Hatton, and that out of the 25 students admitted to Dickoya Base Hospital, about 22 were discharged on (11) after receiving treatment, while the remaining three students are receiving treatment at the hospital as inpatients.
On (10) the school had provided rice, beans, lentils and mukuna for breakfast, and students who did not eat the food were also hospitalized due to the symptoms, the Assistant Director said. This is suspected to be a problem with the school’s drinking water. Public health inspectors have taken samples of the water provided to the school.