MONTEGO BAY, St James — Principal of Mount Alvernia High School Kayon Whyne has sought to allay fears that there are food safety issues on the campus after a number of students became ill at the institution on Thursday, with a few having to seek medical treatment.

The all-girl school is awaiting results of a probe by the St James Health Department, but the educator suspects a stomach bug may have caused symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea among several students, mainly from the lower grades. School was dismissed early Thursday, and only students from grades 10 to 13 were allowed to attend classes Friday.

“Monday, we will be back to normal. Some of the students would have wanted to come in on Friday but we took the decision,” Whyne told the Jamaica Observer Friday afternoon.

“They are in classrooms now, grade seven to nine are in online learning, the teachers are meeting with them,” she added.

When contacted the parish’s Chief Public Health Inspector Shericka Lewis confirmed that an investigation had been launched into the matter.

“We’ve gotten a preliminary report, not the fulsome report, we are still investigating,” she told the Observer Friday afternoon.

“We got a report yesterday and dispatched a team,” Lewis added, referring to the department’s initial response.

Lewis provided an initial assessment of the situation without identifying a possible cause.

“It was predominantly vomiting amongst several students,” she said.

Jitters have been rippling through the school and among concerned parents since Thursday as rumours swirl about what could have caused discomfort among those affected. According to an email from concerned students, some of their peers became ill after eating meals purchased at school.

“Several students reportedly experienced symptoms, including vomiting, after consuming food from the school canteen,” the message said.

“What makes this situation particularly concerning is that the reports are not limited to students who consumed cooked meals. Students who purchased other food items, including patties, have also reportedly experienced illness,” it continued.

Questions were also raised about why some students were allowed to return to school on Friday when the cause of the illness had not yet been confirmed.

“If the school has been deemed safe, students and parents deserve clarification on why certain year-groups are being advised to remain away while others are expected to continue attending,” the email said.

“Furthermore, what specific measures have been implemented to ensure that students who are still required to attend are not exposed to potential health risks,” it added.

The students insisted that they deserve to have confidence that the food purchased at school is safe.

“The school canteen is an essential part of the daily school environment, and maintaining appropriate food safety standards should never be treated as optional,” said writers of the emailed message.

The principal’s approach has been to treat the issue as gastro, a common ailment in schools and other closed environments such as cruise ships and nursing homes. According to Whyne, they issued a gastroenteritis alert to parents and classes were dismissed early Thursday as a precautionary measure.

But up to Friday she was still puzzled about what really happened to the girls in her care.

“We buy patties from two stores, so I don’t know. The students ate patties and I am telling you there are other parents who gave their children packed lunches for school and they would have experienced the same thing. We don’t know if it’s airborne or waterborne, we don’t know,” the school principal told the Observer.

“The health inspectors, they were just here and they say that it’s inconclusive but they are doing tests. I just had my lunch and no impact,” she added.

About 50 to 70 per cent of gastro outbreaks are caused by viruses. However it can also be caused by bacterial contamination of food and water, or passed from person to person. Gastro is typically spread when tiny particles of stool or vomit from an infected person get onto hands, surfaces, food, or water, and are then transferred to the mouth.

Whyne said two students were given medication intravenously (IV) but they are back home.

One parent confirmed that his ninth-grader was among those who became ill Thursday.

“A pure vomit she a vomit, them say she cannot come to school today. Well, most of the school have to stay home,” he told the Observer Friday.

He said he was monitoring his daughter’s condition to determine whether she would need medical attention.

The treatment regime for gastro involves small, frequent sips of liquid; gradual reintroduction of bland food; and rest. Medical care is recommended if there are signs of severe dehydration and an inability to keep any liquids down for 24 hours.