YASOTHON - Poor hygiene in the preparation of school lunches caused 267 young pupils and teachers to suffer acute diarrhoea at a school in Muang district last week, according to health officials.
Provincial health chief Pathompong Pruprong said an investigation revealed microbiological contamination in the kitchen, which caused the high fevers, diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach aches that laid low students and teachers at Thesaban 3 Hathanwakhom School on June 10.
Of the 267 patients, 129 were sent to Yasothon Hospital for treatment and 55 of them were admitted as in-patients for additional care. Most of them were aged just three to five years. One remained in hospital as of Monday.
Dr Pathompong said the contamination was found in many areas, including the kitchen floor, food containers, dishes and cups. The contaminants were also in the barbecued pork and rice lunch served to kindergarten pupils on June 9.
Yasothon Hospital reported on June 12 that coliform bacteria were detected on cooking utensils, in drinking water and on food containers and in some freezers at the school.
The school was closed for thorough cleaning on June 11 and 12.
