24 students from two schools hospitalised over allergic reactions

Around 24 students from two different schools in Balangoda and Dematagoda have been hospitalized due to allergic reactions today (November 20).

It was reported that 17 students from Balangoda Udagama Maha Vidyalaya were admitted to hospital for allergic reactions while seven students from a school in Dematagoda were admitted to the Ridgeway hospital for similar reasons.

Director of the hospital, Dr. Rathnasiri A. Hewage stated that the students are currently in a stable condition.

He stated that the recent spread of rumours regarding allergies amongst school children may have caused this situation.

Around 1000 students from Gampola Jinaraja Bhalika Vidyalaya were admitted to the Gampola base hospital following allergic reactions on November 14.

Hospital sources claimed that it was unlikely that the allergic reaction was caused by consuming some type of food and that it was more likely caused by a chemical reaction with an airborne substance or from small insects.

Around 200 students of the Nugawela Boys’ School in Kandy were hospitalized with allergic symptoms two days after (November 16).

The students, between the ages of 5 and 12, were admitted suffering with symptoms including itching and blisters which have appearing in their skin. 

Meanwhile, seven students of the Athimale Primary School were hospitalized on November 19 for similar reasons.  

The students were admitted to the Athimale Rural Hospital with symptoms including itching and blisters on the skin.