424 students suspected of food poisoning in Sidoarjo as 18 other institutions report cases

The suspected food-poisoning incident at Manba’ul Hikam Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo has affected 424 students, according to the latest figures from the local health department. Another 24 people outside the boarding school were also identified as suspected victims.

Sidoarjo Health Agency chief Lakhsmie Herawati Yuwantina gave the figures as of 12:45 a.m. on Wednesday, after the incident linked to the Free Nutritious Meals program began on Tuesday. Of those affected, 173 had been allowed to return home after receiving medical care.

East Java Deputy Governor Emil Elestianto Dardak visited students receiving treatment at Notopuro Regional General Hospital in Sidoarjo. He said hospitals and medical workers had treated all patients according to their individual medical conditions rather than using a single approach.

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All patients are not treated uniformly, but receive treatment tailored to each patient's medical condition.

Emil said patients whose conditions had improved were gradually discharged, while hospitals remained on full alert. He also said similar suspected poisoning cases occurred at 18 other educational institutions from Tuesday afternoon.

The institutions, including the boarding school, had received food from the Kali Tengah Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit in Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo, on Tuesday. Manba’ul Hikam had the largest number of suspected victims.

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Apart from boarding schools, several other educational institutions experienced similar incidents, and they all shared the fact that they received food from the Kali Tengah SPPG in Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo, on Tuesday.