KOTA KINABALU: Students from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pulau Gaya, near here, who reportedly suffered food poisoning yesterday, had nasi lemak prior to the incident.
Sabah State Health Department Director, Datuk Dr Asits Sanna, said the affected students admitted to having eaten nasi lemak around 9.50am, but complete details of their movements and food exposure are still under investigation.
"Control measures have been implemented, including providing appropriate treatment and actively conducting case detection.
"Health education has also been provided to those involved and samples of food, beverages, and the environment have been taken for confirmation of the cause of the incident," he said in a statement today.
Yesterday, Sabah State Education Department Director, Datuk Raisin Saidin, confirmed that 91 morning session students from SK Pulau Gaya were affected by food poisoning and had to be sent to several hospitals and clinics around the state capital.
Most were sent to Sabah Women and Children's Hospital (HWKKS) in Likas, as well as Queen Elizabeth Hospital (HQE), Luyang Health Clinic, and Kota Kinabalu UTC Clinic.
The number increased to 103 students based on today's report from the State Health Department. Outbreak symptoms include vomiting and stomach pain.
Dr Asits mentioned that notification of the outbreak was received from government clinics and hospitals in the capital city at 2.09 pm yesterday, reporting cases with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
"Eight cases were admitted to the ward, while 95 cases were treated as outpatients. All are aged between six and 12 years old, in stable condition, and no deaths have been reported," he said.
He added that the Sabah State Health Department, in collaboration with the Kota Kinabalu District Health Office, will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.