Students, teachers fall ill at Rio Claro West Sec

The incident came days after 14 students of the Rio Claro Vedic Primary School were rushed to San Fernando General Hospital with similar symptoms. It is believed that the primary school students inhaled pesticide from a nearby farm. Investigations are continuing into the incident at the Rio Claro West Secondary School.

Reports are that at about 9.15 am, while classes were in session at the secondary school, students and teachers complained of feeling unwell. The students and teachers complained of headaches, nausea, burning sensations in their stomachs and respiratory problems. School sources said there was a pungent stench in the air at the school’s compound early yesterday morning.

A media release yesterday from Mayaro Member of Parliament Rushton Paray stated that the students and teachers who sought medical treatment were in stable condition and resting comfortably at their respective homes.

He said five of the students were also vomiting and complaining of abdominal pain.

“They were all placed under thorough examination. Thirteen students were transported to San Fernando, 11 to Sangre Grande and one to a private medical facility,” the MP’s release stated.

Paray is calling on the Agriculture Ministry and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) to collaborate in addressing the issue of chemical usage among agricultural practitioners who operate in fields near educational institutes and residential homes.

He further thanked the doctors and nurses of the Rio Claro Health Centre for their expeditious management in attending to the students and teachers of the school.

Newsday was told that despite the students and teachers falling ill, a decision was made to allow classes to continue.