Laboratory test result on samples of food poisoning in Tapah to be out in five to seven days

The laboratory test conducted on several samples of the food poisoning case in Sekolah Menengah Sains Tapah is expected to be ready within five to seven days.

State Health director Dr Juwita Ghazali said the samples were sent to the public health laboratory for analysis yesterday.

"The samples consist of the clinical sample of students involved, food sample from the school kitchen and swabs of kitchen appliances and food operators," she said in a statement.

Last Saturday, 43 students and a teacher of Sekolah Menengah Sains Tapah suffered food poisoning after having "roti jala" and chicken curry for supper at the school's dining hall.

Dr Juwita said eight out of 32 students admitted to the Tapah Hospital since Sunday had been discharged at 11am Tuesday and were taken back to the school, while 24 others were being placed at the school hostel.

"The medical team from the Tapah Health Clinic has assessed the health condition of the 10 male and 14 female students this morning. Their health condition is improving and none of them are required to be hospitalised.

In the meantime, she said the kitchen operator had been ordered to temporarily cease operation under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).