Sidoarjo food-poisoning victims reach 664 at boarding school

The suspected mass poisoning at Manbaul Hikam Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo has affected 664 people, according to the district health office. The incident followed a meal served through Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals program.

Sidoarjo Health Office head Lakhsmita Herawati said 581 patients had been allowed to go home after their conditions improved. Another 77 students remained under treatment at several health facilities, while six patients were still being observed. She said the patients who remained in care were generally stable but still needed monitoring and medical treatment.

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A total of 664 patients: 77 hospitalized, 581 discharged, and six under observation.

The Sidoarjo government has not declared the incident an extraordinary event, despite the number of victims exceeding 600. Instead, the health office activated a Health Crisis Team to strengthen the response and keep medical services operating.

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In general, the condition of the patients still receiving treatment is stable.

Authorities divided the response between the incident site and hospitals. Health workers were stationed at the location for monitoring and initial treatment under the coordination of staff from the local community health center. Hospitals were asked to prepare sufficient medical personnel, medicines and supporting facilities.

The affected group included students from Manbaul Hikam and pupils at 19 schools in the Kalitengah area of Tanggulangin. They reported nausea, vomiting and dizziness after eating a meal produced by the Kalitengah Tanggulangin Nutrition Fulfillment Service on Sept. 1. The menu included white rice, scrambled eggs, Balinese-seasoned tempeh, stir-fried beans with baby corn and an apple.

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We activated the health crisis response. We divided it into two parts because treatment was needed at the site, with the community health center coordinating there. At the hospitals, we placed enough health workers on standby.