Food Poisoning Incident at Embu School Contained, All Students Stable

Health officials have effectively addressed a food poisoning incident at St. Thomas Aquinas Igumori Secondary School in Embu County.

Public Health Permanent Secretary Mary Muthoni confirmed on Monday that her department is working in collaboration with the Embu County Government to manage the situation, emphasizing that it is under control and reassuring the community that there is no cause for alarm. The incident, which occurred after Form Four students consumed beef on Thursday evening, resulted in several students experiencing severe stomach pains and diarrhoea by Friday morning.

A group of affected students was urgently treated at Kiritiri Level Four Hospital, with five requiring referral to Embu Level Five Hospital for specialized care. Fortunately, all hospitalized students are now stable, and the remainder have been treated and discharged. Muthoni notes the critical importance of adhering to rigorous food safety protocols along the entire food supply chain.

She advises schools to strictly follow the Kenya School Meals, Food Safety, and Quality Guidelines, ensuring proper hygiene and sanitation in all areas involved in food preparation and handling. Additionally, school heads are reminded to prioritize the health and safety of their students by implementing robust food safety measures and providing a clean learning environment. In light of the incident, Food Business Operators have been urged to maintain the safety and quality of food products supplied to schools.

Public Health Officers responsible for monitoring school sanitation and food safety are expected to intensify food inspections and enforce compliance with the Food, Drugs, and Chemical Substances Act (Cap 254) and the Public Health Act (Cap 242) of the Laws of Kenya. Muthoni also highlights the need for health facilities to maintain a high level of preparedness to effectively respond to foodborne illnesses and outbreaks.

Investigations into the contamination incident are currently underway by Public Health Officials from Embu County. School Principal Paul Mwaniki has expressed regret regarding the situation, noting that the contamination likely occurred during the meal's preparation phase. He reassures that all necessary precautions have been taken, including the inspection and certification of meat for consumption by the relevant authorities.