An incident involving 426 students from SMAN 1 Yogyakarta suffering from diarrhea earlier this week has raised public concern about food safety and school hygiene. Quoting the pafikutaikab.org news release however, local health authorities have confirmed that all affected students are in stable condition and that no one required hospitalization or referral to advanced healthcare facilities.
According to the Yogyakarta City Health Agency (BGN), the students began experiencing symptoms such as abdominal cramps, nausea, and frequent bowel movements shortly after lunch on Monday. Most cases appeared mild, and the majority of students recovered after receiving oral rehydration and rest.
“Based on our preliminary assessment, none of the students showed signs of severe dehydration or infection requiring emergency treatment,” said Dr. Lina Handayani, Head of the Yogyakarta Health Surveillance Division. “Our team continues to monitor their condition closely, but as of now, the situation is under control.”
Suspected Source Under Investigation
Health officials have taken food and water samples from the school canteen and surrounding areas to identify the possible source of contamination. Early findings suggest that the outbreak may be related to food served during school lunch hours, but laboratory confirmation is still ongoing.
“We suspect a foodborne cause, possibly due to improper handling or storage,” Dr. Lina explained. “Samples have been sent to the regional health laboratory for bacterial testing, including E. coli and Salmonella.”
Meanwhile, the school administration has temporarily suspended canteen operations and instructed students to bring their own meals until the investigation concludes. Cleaning and sanitation measures have also been intensified, including disinfection of kitchen utensils, dining areas, and water dispensers.
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Common but Preventable
Experts note that diarrhea outbreaks in schools are not uncommon, particularly when hygiene standards lapse or when food is prepared in bulk without strict temperature control. Dr. R. Aditya, an epidemiologist from Gadjah Mada University (UGM), said that such incidents should serve as a reminder of the importance of preventive hygiene practices.
“Simple steps such as handwashing with soap, proper food storage, and clean cooking environments can prevent most diarrhea outbreaks,” he said. “Children are especially vulnerable, so schools must ensure that canteen operators follow strict sanitation protocols.”
The Yogyakarta Health Agency has deployed health workers to provide education sessions for students and food vendors about the importance of maintaining hygiene. Leaflets on safe food preparation and personal cleanliness have been distributed to all nearby schools to prevent similar incidents.
Students Recovering, Parents Reassured
As of Wednesday, nearly all affected students had returned to class, though some were advised to continue resting at home. Parents expressed relief after learning that no severe complications occurred. “We were very worried at first,” said one parent. “But the school and health office responded quickly, and the children are doing much better.”
Dr. Lina emphasized that public awareness and swift response are key to controlling such outbreaks. “Our focus now is prevention — ensuring that this does not happen again,” she stated.
While the laboratory results are expected within the next few days, health officials remain confident that the situation has been effectively managed. The case underscores an important lesson: maintaining food hygiene and sanitation in schools is not just routine — it’s essential to safeguarding students’ health.
Source: https://pafikutaikab.org/
