Students, teachers fall ill in mass food poisonings in Indonesia

International

AROUND 2,000 students and teachers fell ill over the past three days in mass food poisonings across Indonesia.

The latest report showed that 777 people became unwell after consuming the food at a high school in Rembang, Central Java, a report by BBC said.

A total of 752 students and 25 teachers experienced symptoms of food poisoning after eating meals provided through the Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) programme at the high school in Lasem on Wednesday lunchtime.

It was reported that the meals were provided through a multibillion-dollar scheme that is one of President Prabowo Subianto's signature policies, aiming to improve nutrition for Indonesia's schoolchildren.

"They had diarrhoea and took turns using the toilet," headteacher Juhartutik told BBC News Indonesia. "There are 40 toilets in total, so they can't accommodate everyone."

Nearly 1,200 pupils and 95 staff members were sent home while several were brought to hospital.

The food distributor has taken responsibility while the government assured to shoulder medical costs of the affected students and teachers.

The suspected outbreak came after 730 people fell ill after consuming MBG meals at an Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, East Java, on Tuesday, a local health official said.(MyTVCebu)