POLOKWANE – 46 learners from Northern Academy Primary School have returned to class and are functioning well without discomfort after being hospitalised for abdominal pain on Tuesday, 21 May.
Read more: Around 50 learners hospitalised in Polokwane for abdominal cramps and vomiting
According to an ER24 press release, Review reported that emergency personnel assessed at least 50 children and found that they had been experiencing abdominal pains as well as nausea and vomiting.
However, Northern Academy’s Executive Head, Rirhandzu Ngwenya says 46 learners were treated.
In a statement released to the school’s parents, Ngwenya says eight hostel children complained about stomach cramps on Tuesday morning and hostel monitors followed procedure and alerted management.
“In typical Northern Academy fashion, we ordered for children with similar symptoms to be identified fearing an outbreak of flu or possible food poisoning and the 46 learners were identified. Medical services were called to the premies and the children were inspected and treated on site. As a precautionary measure, it was decided that all of the children were to be sent to private hospitals for a thorough examination,” she explained.
The children were declared fine and no traces of food poisoning or viral infections were found except for three learners who were treated for a stomach bug. The children then returned to school, monitored and Ngwenya says they appeared to be fine.
She added that the canteen, facilities, bathrooms and rooms were all inspected by staff, representatives from provincial health and safety, the education department as well as Curro’s head of health and safety and Ngwenya confirmed that all was in good order.
“The canteen dispatched a sample of the food for testing in accordance with their safety directives. We do not expect a negative outcome since none of the children tested positive for food contamination, she said.
Curro Holdings Head of Marketing and Communications, Mari Lategan says according to management, the area had been affected by a stomach bug since the start of winter but confirmed that the learners were treated and released on the same day.
