Mass Food Poisoning Strikes High School Dormitory in Hokkaido

HOKKAIDO, Nov 07 (News On Japan) - A mass food poisoning incident has been confirmed at a high school dormitory in Shiraoi, a town in Hokkaido’s Iburi region, where 63 students suffered symptoms such as diarrhea and stomach pain after eating meals prepared at the facility.

The Tomakomai Public Health Center announced on November 6th that the cause was Clostridium perfringens (Welch’s bacillus).

According to the health center, beginning around 10 a.m. on October 30th, 63 out of 92 dormitory students at Hokkaido Sakae High School began reporting food poisoning symptoms including diarrhea and abdominal pain. Three students sought medical treatment, but all have since shown signs of recovery.

The symptoms were limited to students residing in the dormitory, and stool samples from affected individuals tested positive for Clostridium perfringens. Based on these findings, the health center concluded that the outbreak was caused by meals prepared and served in the dormitory kitchen.

Officials are now working to identify the specific dish responsible while also providing hygiene management guidance to improve sanitation practices in the dormitory kitchen.

Source: 北海道ニュースUHB

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