Kozhikode: A student of SB School in Meppayil, Vadakara, has tested positive for Shigella following an incident in which around 30 students sought medical attention after developing symptoms of food poisoning. The Health Department has directed the school to temporarily suspend the supply of food and drinking water to students.
The students reportedly began experiencing physical discomfort on Friday evening after consuming lunch provided at the school. Around 30 students subsequently sought treatment at Vadakara Taluk Hospital and various private hospitals over Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Health officials sent samples from four children who showed symptoms for detailed testing at a laboratory in Kozhikode. Shigella infection was confirmed in one of the four samples. The test results of the remaining samples are still awaited.
Following the incident, a Health Department team comprising the Kozhikode District Medical Officer and the Superintendent of Vadakara Taluk Hospital visited the school on Wednesday. The team inspected the arrangements for food distribution and the drinking water facilities on the premises.
As a precautionary measure, the officials instructed the school to temporarily stop providing food and drinking water to students until further directions.
The health condition of the student who tested positive, along with the other affected children, is reportedly satisfactory. The Health Department has also said that no fresh symptoms have been reported among other students.
The results of the remaining samples are expected to provide further clarity on the extent of the infection and the possibility of its spread.
