After having lunch in a primary school in southwest China's Sichuan Province approximately 300 pupils have
been receiving hospital treatment or are under observation, local
sources said on Monday.
The students developed a range of symptoms including headaches,
fever and vomiting since Saturday after they had a lunch in the
Chongzhou City Experimental Primary School on Friday. That was the
first day of the new term for them.
No fatalities have been reported, confirmed local
authorities.
"There were a few pupils in serious condition and they're out of
danger now," said Shen Ji, director of the provincial health
department. Some pupils have been discharged from hospital after
receiving treatment.
An expert team from Chengdu, the provincial capital, arrived in
Chongzhou on Sunday to help with the treatment of the pupils.
Health experts said the poisoning was suspected to be come from
food but the cause required further investigation.
About 800 pupils had their lunch in the school on Friday and
sporadically unwell youngsters are still arriving at
hospitals??
"All the treatment costs will be paid for by the city
government," said Chen Gang, vice mayor of Chongzhou. The school
stopped all classes on Monday and would reopen depending on the
pupils' recovery, according to Chen.
(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2006)