21 students fall ill again within a week in Hatiya

Twenty-one students of Jorakhali High School in Hatiya of Noakhali have fallen ill again within a week. Up to noon on Monday (September 14), 21 students have been admitted to hospital. One of them has been sent to Noakhali General Hospital after his physical condition deteriorated.

School sources said regular classes began around 10am on Monday. About an hour later, two female students of class nine suddenly fell unconscious. Later, several more students from other classrooms fell ill one after another, spreading panic in the school.

The ailing students were later taken to Hatiya Upazila Health Complex with the help of locals. A total of 21 students were admitted there by 2pm. Doctors said one guardian who brought a student to the hospital and one hospital staff member also fell ill.

Sub-assistant medical officer Biman Chandra Ashcharya, in charge of the emergency department of Hatiya Upazila Health Complex, said the admitted students are being treated. One of them has been referred to Noakhali General Hospital after his condition deteriorated.

Earlier on September 7, 177 students of the same school fell ill after a pungent smell spread in the classrooms. The recurrence of a similar situation within a week of that incident has increased concern among students, teachers and guardians. School head teacher Jasimuddin also confirmed the matter, saying that after the previous incident, several students first fell unconscious this time as well and later others also fell ill.

Hatiya Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rasel Iqbal said the ailing students are currently out of danger. However, the specific reason for their falling ill or unconscious is still not known. A three-member committee has been formed with the upazila health officer as convener, the officer-in-charge of the thana as member secretary and the upazila secondary education officer as member to investigate the incident. In addition, a letter has been sent to icddr,b in Mohakhali, Dhaka through the district administration to examine the matter.