Wayanad/Kozhikode (Kerala) | Kerala Agriculture Minister T Siddique on Saturday said that as many as 121 students of an aided school in Wayanad were found to be suffering from food poisoning with 78 of them under treatment in various hospitals, but there was no need to be concerned.

The minister, during a press conference in Kozhikode, told reporters that students of Mar Baselios Aided Upper Primary School at Koilady in Wayanad district were found to be suffering from fever, chills and diarrhea due to food poisoning.

Siddique, who hails from Wayanad, said that samples of the food provided at the school and the water from its wells have been sent for testing and once the results come, the source of the food poisoning can be found.

The results will be available in two days, he added.

The minister said that the necessary number of paediatricians have been deployed and the children are being provided the best treatment.

He also said that discussions were being held with the education and health ministers regarding the issue.

Siddique also said that food safety inspections will be conducted in more schools in the coming days as a precautionary measure.

Earlier in the day, the District Medical Officer (DMO) also said that there was currently no need to be worried and that as a precautionary measure, a week-long holiday has been declared for the school.

The official also said that a special ward has been set up at the Bathery Taluk hospital for the treatment of the children.

Apart from the students, a teacher at the school has also reported physical discomfort, the DMO said.

Panchayat officials who visited the hospital stated that the current health condition of the children was satisfactory.

They said that some children had started showing symptoms since June 1.