At least 21 students from Chaminade Secondary School in Karonga District were admitted to Karonga District Hospital on Saturday evening while others were treated as outpatients after eating suspected contaminated food.
During a visit to the facility yesterday morning it was established that five students were discharged on Sunday while 16 others were still receiving medical attention.
In an interview, one of the students who spoke on condition of anonymity said the school had prepared nsima and vegetables for supper.
“However, some students decided to buy already cooked rice, beans and egg plants from women who sell foodstuffs at the campus. Immediately after consuming, we started vomiting and purging,” he said.
While confirming the development, Karonga district director of health and sanitation services David Sibale said 15 boys from the school were rushed to the facility.
“These students developed a sudden episode of vomiting after consuming fritters [mandasi] which they bought at the school’s gate. Five of them spent a night at the hospital while 10 were treated as outpatients,” he said.
The school’s head teacher Amin Pwele said Form Two students were the ones affected and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
He said: “Some students bought food cooked from outside the campus and only 15 students who shared the contaminated food were affected and were rushed to hospital for medical attention.
“Meanwhile, management has banned women from selling already cooked food at the school’s gate as a hygienic precautionary measure
