Outbreak of Gastrointestinal Illness in Rayong’s Klaeng District Affects Nearly 1,000

[Georgealbert]

 

 

A serious gastrointestinal illness outbreak has impacted nearly 1,000 students across two schools in Klaeng District, Rayong Province, with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea raising concerns of a potential norovirus spread. Health authorities and school administrators are working urgently to contain the situation as cases continue to rise.

 

The outbreak was first reported on November 5, when 84 students at Wat Phlong Chang Phueak School fell ill with diarrhea and vomiting. The number of cases surged on November 6, affecting 330 students. Though the number of cases slightly declined to 226 on November 7 due to the school’s annual sports day, new cases continued to emerge, with one student and ten teachers affected as of November 8.

 

Dr. Kanokwan Benjatthikuch, Chair of Wat Phlong Chang Phueak School’s Education Committee, convened with local health officials and school leaders to address the outbreak. Water, milk, and fecal samples were sent to the Rayong Public Health Department for lab analysis, with results expected within 72 hours. A comprehensive report on the outbreak is anticipated by November 15.

 

In response, Wat Phlong Chang Phueak School closed on November 8 for a full sanitation process and disinfection, with a plan to reopen on November 11. Principal Pattnaree Changlek outlined preventive measures, including a requirement for students to wear masks, practice social distancing, and regularly wash hands. Symptomatic students are asked to stay home to recover.

 

The outbreak may have spread more easily due to large gatherings during sports day events. Teachers have been instructed to monitor students closely and communicate with parents via Line messaging groups to share updates on prevention and care at home.

 

Health officials have categorised affected students into three groups based on severity: 325 with mild symptoms like nausea and fever; 308 with vomiting and diarrhea; and 30 students requiring hospitalisation at Klaeng Hospital due to severe weakness.

 

A similar outbreak was reported at neighboring Klaeng School, where initial cases were detected on November 4. The number of affected students grew over several days, reaching 100 cases as of November 8. Rayong Public Health officials collected samples from both schools to identify the cause of the outbreak.

 

Klaeng Hospital, where the most severe cases have been treated, has conducted swabs from students and sampled food, water, and kitchen facilities for analysis. 

 

The Rayong Public Health Department will release results within the next week, helping determine the outbreak’s source and advising further preventive actions.

 

File picture for reference only of one of the schools.

-- 2024-11-10

 

[hotchilli]

The people in the yellow car must have been suffering a serious case.

[john donson]

rotten food or infected, produced/delivered  by the same company ?  dirty water filters ?

[DPKANKAN]

No mention of any Teachers being ill!!!! Of course, they don't eat the same food do they!!!!

[jcmj]

Could be many things from a bit of food poisoning to E. coli. Just have to wait for the test results and go from there. I’m just a bit surprised that they are allowing everyone back before they know the cause. But TIT