Health Ministry probing poisoning at school

The Ministry of Health said it has been informed of an incident where several children at a primary school in St Thomas were given pills by an unauthorised person.

In a media release yesterday, the Ministry said that the St Thomas Health Department (STHD) was alerted last Friday by the school's principal, where 19 children had ingested unprescribed tablets.

Some children had taken the pills the previous day and others on Friday. The Health Department was not informed of any child having symptoms at the time of being alerted.

Arrangements were made for all the children to be brought to the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Accident and Emergency Unit.

DROWSINESS

Eighteen children were seen and one child was taken to a private practitioner by the parent.

Some of the children had symptoms, with the most common symptom being abdominal pain followed by drowsiness. All except one child was clinically well on assessment; that child was diagnosed and treated for mild allergy.

The 18 children seen at the PMH had blood investigations done that were normal but the liver function tests remain outstanding.

The Ministry said these children will be reviewed with these results and parents and guardians have been advised to return immediately if any problems arise with the children.

The Ministry also warned parents and teachers to be alert for persons who would try to sell or give substances to children.