Students Hospitalised After Food Poisoning at Koh Samui Scout Camp

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture from responders.

 

Sixty-two students from Tipparat Wittaya School in Koh Samui were rushed to hospital with symptoms of food poisoning during a Scout camping activity. The incident occurred on the morning of 24 January, following reports of severe abdominal pain and diarrhoea among the participants.

 

At 09:00, the Narenthorn Emergency Medical Centre at Koh Samui Hospital received an alert from the school. Authorities immediately coordinated with the district public health office, local government, and multiple medical facilities, including Koh Samui Hospital, Wattanapat Samui Hospital, Bandon International Hospital, and Bangkok Samui Hospital, to provide urgent assistance.

 

The affected students, who were experiencing vomiting, diarrhoea, and fatigue, were treated on the school’s football field before being transferred to medical facilities. Fifty students were admitted to Koh Samui Hospital, seven to Wattanapat Samui Hospital, and five to Bandon International Hospital.

 

Among the patients, one student was in a critical condition and required intensive care. Eighteen others were classified as moderate cases, needing intravenous fluids and monitoring, while 43 students with milder symptoms were treated with medication and allowed to recover at home.

 

The Scout camp, which involved 409 students, ran from 22 to 24 January. Meals were prepared by hired cooks, with some dishes made by students themselves. A male student hospitalised at Koh Samui Hospital revealed that he had eaten a packed lunch and chicken porridge the previous day. He began experiencing symptoms around 05:00, including severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fatigue, and difficulty breathing.

 

Dr. Songyot Chayaninprameth, Deputy Director of Koh Samui Hospital, confirmed that emergency cases were stabilised and investigations were underway to determine the cause of the outbreak.

 

Dr. Nathakorn Dumcha-om, Director of Tipparat Wittaya School, stated that students began showing symptoms the previous evening. Initially, teachers provided basic care as symptoms were mild. However, the situation escalated by the following morning, with more students reporting severe discomfort.

 

Parents were promptly informed through group messaging and individual calls from school staff. Sanan Sida-kaew, a parent, expressed relief after learning her daughter’s condition was stable.

 

Dr. Songyot added that public health officials would conduct a thorough investigation to identify the source of the contamination and prevent further outbreaks.

 

-- 2025-01-25

 

 

[flyingtlger]

With the hot climate and unsanitary kitchen conditions all over Thailand, I am not surprised......

[Tropicalevo]

3 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

With the hot climate and unsanitary kitchen conditions all over Thailand, I am not surprised......

 

I have lived on the island for 25 years now and this is the first time that I have heard of something like this, so I am surprised.

I wonder why relatively few students were affected.