Students stricken by suspected food poisoning

MORE than 250 college students have been stricken with suspected food poisoning after attending their annual ball.

The HSE has launched an investigation after the students at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick fell ill.

The results of tests are expected today.

A number of people complained of being unwell after attending a function at the South Court Hotel in Raheen on Friday night.

A spokesperson for the hotel said management were investigating the matter in conjunction with the HSE and their external health and safety consultants. “Management is satisfied that all proper hygiene and food safety procedures were in place before, during and after the event. It is not at this time clear as to the cause of people’s illness,” a spokesperson said.

About 750 students attended the Students’ Union Ball last Friday night.

Many began to feel ill at the function and some students were reporting being unwell up to Tuesday.

A spokeswoman for the college said a significant number of students had been unable to attend lectures in recent days due to illness.

Darrell Healy, president of the students’ union at Mary Immaculate, said: “We contacted the HSE as we were concerned about a serious outbreak of suspected food poisoning. The HSE are carrying out a full investigation and we are awaiting the outcome. Anyone who was at the ball and is concerned should contact their doctor or the medical centre at the college.”

Many of the 3,400 students at Mary Immaculate are studying to become primary school teachers.

A spokesman for the HSE said: “The Environmental Health and Public Health Departments of the HSE are investigating reports of gastrointestinal illness associated with a function held in a Limerick Hotel on Friday, March 6, 2009.

“Symptoms appear to be short-lived in nature with the majority resolved within 24 hours. Investigations into the source are ongoing — the premises are co-operating fully with the precautionary control measures which have been put in place.”

There are no reports of any student having to go to hospital.