Maggots found after MCKK mass food poisoning

(Bernama) – After 56 students of the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) here suffered food poisoning, a probe found maggots in the van used to transport the food.

The MCKK students began showing symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, fever, dizziness and abdominal pain after having their meals at the college’s dining hall on Wednesday.

Perak Health Department director Datuk Dr Juita Ghazalie said the students were later confirmed as having suffered food poisoning by the medical officer of the District Health Centre.

Three of them were then referred to the Kuala Kangsar Hospital while the rest received outpatient treatment at the hospital,” she said in a statement yesterday.

Dr Juita said preliminary investigation revealed that the van used to transport food from the kitchen to the dining hall was dirty, with maggots found in the vehicle.

“Other risk factors include the used of dirty kitchen utensils, such as trays, jugs, water dispensers, bowls and plates.”

Dr Juita said several samples of the utensil and water has been sent to the Chemistry Department for inspection, adding that the Perak Health Department had instructed the food operator of the dining hall to cease their operation for the moment.

“The hostel kitchen has also been instructed to close under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.”