36 students of SK Guru Kalgidhar down with food poisoning

Thirty-six Sekolah Kebangsaan Guru Kalgidhar in Buntong, here, complained of stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, believed to be due to food poisoning after consuming food sold at the school canteen. The students who were believed to have consumed food sold at the canteen during recess at 10am, were later rushed to the Buntong Health Clinic for treatment. Kinta Utara District Education officer Marazlen Amran said the students were in stable condition after receiving outpatient treatment at the clinic. "The students were sent to the clinic at about 10am to 11am. Only five require further treatment," he told Bernama when contacted, today, adding that the state Education Department had been informed of the incident and the school canteen sealed. The canteen has been operating at the site for about 30 years and we will meet the owner of the canteen, he said. Perak Menteri Besar's Special Officer C. Sivaraj would provide free food for the students tomorrow. The primary school which is fully funded by the government has 96 students. Meanwhile, state committee chairman for Health, Tourism and Culture Nolee Ashilin Radzi said the students were believed to have eaten 'idhli' a traditional Indian snack made of rice flour. "The 'idhli' was sold in the canteen and the bacteria believed to be responsible for the ailment of the students was Bacillus Cereus," said Nolee.