Food scare hospitalises 67 learners in Kavango East
A weekend food scare at Maria Mwengere School in Kavango East left 67 learners in hospital or under medical care, including a hearing-impaired boy who was briefly admitted to intensive care before stabilising. The mass poisoning has rattled parents and triggered urgent investigations by health and education authorities.
Shambyu circuit inspector Blasius Haita confirmed that the outbreak began on Saturday after learners were served macaroni with wors for lunch, followed later by bread and polony. Soon afterwards, pupils complained of stomach cramps, vomiting, and severe headaches.
“They were immediately rushed to Rundu State Hospital by the school bus,” Haita told Namibian Sun. “One learner fainted upon arrival and was admitted into high care.”
By Monday afternoon, 67 learners had been treated. Of these, 33 were admitted for observation, while others received outpatient care and were discharged. Haita further revealed that the school has faced a similar scare in the past. “Two to three years ago, there was a case involving three learners, but it was contained quickly and was not serious,” he said.
Learners stabilising
Kavango East education director Christine Shilima, who visited the hospital, said she found the hearing-impaired boy sitting up in high care and eating breakfast. “Through basic sign language, he indicated he was feeling much better, though he still had stomach cramps,” she said.
By mid-morning, several girls who had been admitted earlier were discharged, with more expected to follow as doctors continued monitoring cases.
Cause still unclear
Shilima stressed that investigators need to establish the precise source of the outbreak. “The report from the school indicated the learners were not given spoiled food at the time of delivery. We now need to establish what exactly in the food triggered this,” she said.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has deployed inspectors, supported by safety authorities, to trace the contamination and rule out deliberate negligence.
Parents demand transparency
Parents expressed frustration over the lack of communication. “Can we have a proper media brief, please?” one parent asked. “Our kids are not allowed to have cellphones, teachers are not answering, and we don’t know what is happening. We are worried sick.”
Hospital chief nurse Martina Hausiku confirmed that all learners were stable by yesterday evening, though medical assessments were ongoing.
At the time of publication, the regional health director could not be reached for comment.
[email protected]
Shambyu circuit inspector Blasius Haita confirmed that the outbreak began on Saturday after learners were served macaroni with wors for lunch, followed later by bread and polony. Soon afterwards, pupils complained of stomach cramps, vomiting, and severe headaches.
“They were immediately rushed to Rundu State Hospital by the school bus,” Haita told Namibian Sun. “One learner fainted upon arrival and was admitted into high care.”
By Monday afternoon, 67 learners had been treated. Of these, 33 were admitted for observation, while others received outpatient care and were discharged. Haita further revealed that the school has faced a similar scare in the past. “Two to three years ago, there was a case involving three learners, but it was contained quickly and was not serious,” he said.
Learners stabilising
Kavango East education director Christine Shilima, who visited the hospital, said she found the hearing-impaired boy sitting up in high care and eating breakfast. “Through basic sign language, he indicated he was feeling much better, though he still had stomach cramps,” she said.
By mid-morning, several girls who had been admitted earlier were discharged, with more expected to follow as doctors continued monitoring cases.
Cause still unclear
Shilima stressed that investigators need to establish the precise source of the outbreak. “The report from the school indicated the learners were not given spoiled food at the time of delivery. We now need to establish what exactly in the food triggered this,” she said.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has deployed inspectors, supported by safety authorities, to trace the contamination and rule out deliberate negligence.
Parents demand transparency
Parents expressed frustration over the lack of communication. “Can we have a proper media brief, please?” one parent asked. “Our kids are not allowed to have cellphones, teachers are not answering, and we don’t know what is happening. We are worried sick.”
Hospital chief nurse Martina Hausiku confirmed that all learners were stable by yesterday evening, though medical assessments were ongoing.
At the time of publication, the regional health director could not be reached for comment.
[email protected]
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