More than 50 female students, teachers and staff members of MU Secondary School in Kalapara, Patuakhali, fell ill and were taken to hospitals on Wednesday.
The incident began in the afternoon when female students from Classes 6 to 10 started falling sick. By 7pm, 29 affected students had been admitted to Kalapara Hospital, while others were receiving treatment at Amtali Hospital and different clinics.
The affected students reported breathing difficulties followed by convulsions. Some said they were unable to move their hands and legs.
Students Fall Ill One After Another
The incident reportedly began during lunchtime when a female student of Class 10 developed convulsions and breathing difficulties. Soon afterwards, other students in the same class began experiencing similar symptoms.
The symptoms then spread among students in Classes 9, 8, 7 and 6, creating panic at the school.
Student eyewitnesses said they could not understand what was happening as students sitting beside them suddenly became ill and collapsed on the floor. The situation caused fear among other students at the school.
Teachers, parents and local residents helped take the affected students to Kalapara Hospital and other medical facilities in auto-rickshaws, tomtoms and CNG-powered vehicles.
Local residents and parents said around 50 to 60 people had fallen ill. Some students also reportedly became sick after returning home.
Doctors Assess Patients at Kalapara Hospital
Dr Manik Mia, a physician in the emergency department of Kalapara Hospital, said the initial assessment suggested that the affected students might be experiencing hysteria or a mental health-related condition.
He said the patients were admitted and receiving treatment, while the exact cause would be determined after medical examinations and tests.
Hospital doctors and officials said several of the 29 admitted patients were in critical condition. They said those patients would be referred to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal for advanced treatment.
More affected students were continuing to arrive at the hospital for treatment, according to the hospital’s emergency department.
After learning about the incident, the Member of Parliament for the Patuakhali-4 constituency and senior administrative officials visited the hospital. They took steps to ensure that the affected students received prompt medical attention and medicines.
The exact cause of the illnesses had not been established at the time of the reported developments.
