A total of 159 students and staff at a boarding school in Lenggong, Perak, have suffered suspected food poisoning after consuming food provided for a programme held at the school on Wednesday.
Perak executive councillor for Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Datuk A Sivanesan said the victims, aged between 13 and 52, began experiencing symptoms from 11.30pm on Sept 9 until 1.40pm the following day.
“All cases experienced diarrhoea and stomach pain, while some also complained of headaches, nausea, vomiting and fever,” he said in a statement on Friday.
Of the 159 victims, 125 reported headaches, 89 experienced nausea, 31 suffered vomiting and 15 developed fever.
All victims were examined and treated at the school by a medical team from the Lenggong Health Clinic.
Sivanesan said only 10 victims required further treatment at the Lenggong Health Clinic, while all those affected were in stable condition and none required hospitalisation.
He said 34 clinical samples, including stool culture and virology tests, were collected from patients, along with 14 environmental samples and one food sample for analysis at the Ipoh Public Health Laboratory.
Preliminary investigations found that the suspected food was prepared by an external caterer hired by an agency for a programme held at the school on Sept 9.
An inspection of the caterer’s premises found that its cleanliness level was rated at 78.16%.
Following the inspection, the Hulu Perak District Health Office ordered the premises to be closed under Section 18(1)(d) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
The operator was also instructed to carry out regular cleaning and pest-control measures and was given health education.
Sivanesan said the school’s dining hall would continue operating as usual to ensure food supplies for students were not disrupted.
