Over 60 Students Hospitalized After Suspected School Meal Contamination.
Over 60 students from Kalyet Secondary School in Kericho were hospitalized on Monday after experiencing prolonged stomach pains, suspected to have been caused by contaminated food.
The students reportedly consumed a meal of beans and maize on Sunday during lunch. Shortly after, some began complaining of stomach discomfort.
By Monday morning, the symptoms had worsened, prompting the school to transport 47 students, including 9 boys and 38 girls, to the Londiani Sub County Hospital for medical attention.
The majority of the students exhibited persistent vomiting overnight. Hospital authorities confirmed that all students were promptly attended to upon arrival and were treated for their symptoms.
The hospital raised concerns about its limited capacity to handle large-scale incidents like this. Officials revealed that the facility’s outpatient department was already overwhelmed. They cautioned that an increase in cases could strain their ability to manage the situation effectively.
A medical superintendent at the hospital stated that all affected students were stabilized after receiving treatment, which included antibiotics and fluids. However, he emphasized the need for assistance in expanding the hospital’s facilities to address such emergencies in the future.
Recent Similar Incidents
This marks the second food contamination case in Kericho County within two weeks. On January 19, over 73 individuals from Masaita villages were hospitalized after consuming contaminated locally fermented milk, known as Mursik, during a church graduation ceremony.
Foodborne illnesses linked to Mursik and other foods have been a recurring issue in the greater Rift Valley region. In 2020, 20 people, including eight children, were hospitalized in Mt. Elgon, Bungoma, due to contaminated Mursik.
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Globally, foodborne illnesses pose a significant health challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 600 million people, or one in ten, fall ill each year from consuming contaminated food. This results in 420,000 deaths annually.
Children under five years old are disproportionately affected, comprising 40% of those impacted by foodborne diseases. Tragically, this age group accounts for 125,000 fatalities worldwide every year.
Over 60 Students Hospitalized After Suspected School Meal Contamination.
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