FS health dept dismisses food poisoning rumours after 2 schools closed due to sick children
Though learners from the Bergmanhoogte and Phillipolis primary schools were reportedly beginning to present symptoms of food poisoning, the Free State Health Department confirmed they had Influenza B.
An image of an empty classroom. Picture: Teka77/123rf.com
JOHANNESBURG - The Free State Department of Education has attributed the temporary closure of two primary schools to a flu outbreak, dismissing a rumour that it was over a suspected case of food poisoning.
This followed reports that learners from the Bergmanhoogte and Phillipolis Primary Schools had food poisoning, after 96 pupils started presenting symptoms including diarrhoea and vomiting.
The local Health Department confirmed the learners have Influenza B, a type of flu that is highly contagious and can be fatal for children under the age of five.
Six of the learners were hospitalised, while the rest were instructed to quarantine for the next week.
The schools were closed since Thursday and are expected to open next week.
"Only two primary schools are affected. So, we took the advice to suspend classes until the 13th [of March], and we hope that by then the situation would have improved,” said spokesperson Howard Ndaba.