100 students fall ill in Wayanad school: Why has it been shut for a week?

Kalpetta: A school in Kerala’s Wayanad district has been ordered to remain closed for a week after around 100 students reported fever and vomiting and sought treatment at various hospitals.

The closure of St Joseph's Higher Secondary School in Kalpetta was directed by the health department following an inspection that found the school's well and water storage tanks had not been properly disinfected.

Health officials said the temporary closure was intended to prevent further spread of the illness and allow the school authorities to thoroughly clean and disinfect the drinking water sources and campus.

A health department team led by Dr Shyam, Resident Medical Officer at Kalpetta General Hospital, inspected the school after students began reporting health complaints. Health Inspector P A Navas and Junior Health Inspectors Suresh Kumar and Bibin Varghese were also part of the team.

The inspection found that the well and drinking water tanks on the premises had not undergone proper chlorination and disinfection, according to officials.
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The school has been asked to remain shut for seven days to facilitate cleaning and disinfection. The health department's intervention is aimed at ensuring that the premises and water sources are safe before students return to classes.

PTI