Gastroenteritis caused outbreak at Dubai school: DHA

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Gastroenteritis caused outbreak at Dubai school: DHA

Dubai - The school will reopen on Sunday (April 14).

by

Dhanusha Gokulan

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Published: Wed 10 Apr 2019, 8:00 PM

Last updated: Thu 11 Apr 2019, 9:31 AM

Gastroenteritis has been found to be the cause of the 'outbreak' that prompted a kindergarten school in Dubai to close its premises for two days, an investigation of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has revealed. Nearly 24 of its students fell ill.
The Kindergarten Starters (KGS), an Indian curriculum school of GEMS Education, was shut from April 10 April 11 to make way for a 'deep cleaning' of the school premises.
A parent told Khaleej Times on Monday (April 8) that one student vomitted in the school corridor. Then, soon after, several other children were reported sick, with symptoms of vomitting and body ache. The school was immediately evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) said it has completed the investigation at the site and has found that it was caused by self-limiting gastroenteritis, a common occurrence in children that is related to hand hygiene. It is not life-threatening, the DHA clarified.
"The DHA would like to assure the public that all the students are now in good health. They have been discharged from the hospital and no new cases have been reported. Proper hand hygiene is the best modality for prevention in this case and many other diseases," the statement added.
GEMS Education has taken the help of an external service provider to clean and sanitise all surfaces, AC units and school buses.
A spokesperson said: "We are taking all precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of our pupils. Over the course of four days, and with the support of all relevant authorities, we are carrying out a thorough deep clean of the school through an external service provider."
The school will reopen on Sunday (April 14), as scheduled, the spokesperson added.
'Gastroenteritis, a seasonal disease'
Gastroenteritis is a seasonal disease, according to Dr Binoy Nellissery, specialist paediatrics and neonatology, Aster Hospital in Qusais.
"While gastroenteritis is seasonal, we do see approximately five to 10 patients per week, on an average.
"During the prone seasons, we may see maybe four to five times of this number. Ideally, it depends on the season during which we are consulting."
Gastroenteritis, when caused by a virus, may spread through the vomit of an infected person. People who have had the virus on their hands or has touched contaminated objects may fall ill or even pass the infection to others.
Dr Marouf Purayil, a father whose son is in Grade 1 at KGS, said the school has followed due protocol and kept the parents well informed.
"As soon the outbreak happened, mail and SMS were sent to all the parents. Later, we received an official e-mail saying that there is an outbreak and the school will be closed for two days.
"Officially, due procedures were followed and the school does take care of cleanliness. However, I think the school needs to take extra care to keep toilets, bathroom, washroom, water taps, and toilets have to be routinely cleaned."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com


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