Nearly 60 people were poisoned at a school event in Lara

Authorities said that the victims were treated and are in stable condition | Photo: @Gobierno_deLara

The sole health authority of Lara state, Javier Cabrera, reported on July 10 that 56 people were poisoned following consuming food during a school celebration in the Palavecino municipality of the entity.

Through the social media accounts of the Lara Health Department, Cabrera said that the case of mass poisoning recorded in the evening hours of July 9 in the El Tamarindo hamlet of the José Gregorio Bastidas parish was attended to by the authorities.

“24 adults were referred to the Antonio María Pineda Central University Hospital, 7 adults to the Dr. Pastor Oropeza Riera Hospital, 6 patients to the Bararida CDI, 10 children to the Dr. Agustín Zubillaga Pediatric University Hospital, 3 infants to the Pastor Oropeza Hospital and six adults remain in the Cabudare Outpatient Clinic,” said the sole health authority.

According to the information in the X account (formerly Twitter) of the Secretariatall those affected are stable following receiving medical attention such as hydration, gastric protectors, steroids and observation.

Photo: @SPPS-Lara

So far, authorities have not specified what foods caused the food poisoning of the 56 people who were at the party for the first grade promotion at the José Aparicio Salcedo School.

Symptoms of food poisoning

A food poisoning It is an infection or irritation of the digestive system caused by the ingestion of food or drink contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms, toxins or harmful chemicals. These agents can enter the body through poorly handled, undercooked or contaminated food during processing, storage or transportation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bacteria such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Campylobacter and Listeria monocytogenes, as well as viruses such as norovirus and parasites such as Giardia, are some of the common causes of food poisoning.

The symptoms of food poisoning may vary depending on the pathogen involved, the amount of contaminated food ingested, and the general health of the affected individual. However, there are common symptoms that may appear in the hours or days following the ingestion of the contaminated food:

At least 56 people were food poisoned during a school event in Lara — Photo: @Gobierno_deLara

– Diarrhea

– Nausea and vomiting

– Fever

– General discomfort

– Dehydration

Other previous cases

On May 2, another case of mass poisoning in the state of Mérida. On that occasion, the director of Civil Protection Carlos Pérez Ampueda reported that 12 students and a teacher at the La Presentación school, located in the municipality of Tovar, were affected by fumigation at the educational center.

At least 12 students in Merida were poisoned by fumigation: the details — Photo: Jade Delgado | Union Radio

“320 people, including students, teachers and administrators, were evacuated preventively,” Pérez Ampueda added.

The 12 victims received pre-hospital care from officials from the National Risk Management System who were present at the scene.

On March 31, another 12 people were poisoned by food consumed at a club in the Campo Elías municipality of the same entity.

The third case, also in Mérida, was recorded on February 20 at the Julio César Dávila Educational Unit, located in the La Mesa de Los Indios parish of the Campo Elías municipality.

Eight students were rushed to the Los Andes University Hospital for poisoning following consuming flavored drinks from sachets.