A total of 300 students from a public Secondary School in county of Bomet fall ill after it is alleged that they might have suffered from food poisoning.
The students began to complain on Friday over stomach upsets and they were rushed to near by hospitals for treatment.
They were taken to a health center, suongiroi, initially but they could not receive the necessary services but instead they were referred to sub county hospital within that subcounty.
The Bomet County Executive boss in charge of Medical Services and Public Health Dr. Sitonik, confirmed the incident and said that the affected students were being treated at various hospitals including Longisa sub-county hospital, Siongiroi health centre, Sigor sub-county hospital and Tenwek hospital.
“At sigor hospital there are 48 students under medical care/ treatment, 30 students at Longisa county referral hospital and another 20 students being treated at Tenwek hospital,” said Dr. Joseph.
Another 70 students who were not severely affected are receiving treatment at Siongiroi health centre as out patients. They were discharged but they will still be under observation as outpatients.
Another group of students were earlier treated and discharged at the Siongiroi health centre. The number of the affected learners in total had rose to 300 by the end of the day.
The symptoms for the infection are stomach upsets and high fever. Students affected presented these symptoms.
It was suspected that the learners took contaminated food during Thursday celebrations at the institution as were opening a newly built dining hall. The contractor was handing over the facility thus prompting the celebrations.
“Samples have been taken for analysis at the government chemist to determine the cause of the infection. Initially, the students were alleged to have taken contaminated water, however, initial results have ruled the assumption out,” Dr Sitonik said.
Parents complained of an unavailability of drugs at the county government hospitals, with the students transported with motorbikes, school bus and public service vehicles.
