The Region Five Department of Education has launched investigations after seven pupils of the Mahaicony Primary School were taken to hospital on Monday when they mysteriously fell ill while at assembly.

An official at the school told Stabroek News that during the gathering a student vomited and this triggered a series of complaints from other students. The main complaints were of headaches and belly aches though one student also collapsed.

While this newspaper was speaking with the official, another student complained of belly aches and was being monitored. The official said this issue was cause for concern because the students had suddenly started suffering these symptoms. The sick students were taken to the Mahaicony Hospital and after being evaluated were treated and sent away, this newspaper understands.

In an invited comment Region Five Education Officer Urline Crandon said she was aware that some students had been taken for treatment due to vomiting. She also said she was unaware of similar complaints in the region but that two students of the Belladrum Secondary School had been suffering from “something mysterious” on Monday.

Crandon said she had received reports that one student had been ill since Sunday and that her symptoms had continued on Monday.

When Stabroek News contacted Minister of Education Shaik Baksh on the issue he said he was unaware of the situation at the Mahaicony Primary School and directed this newspaper to Crandon.