Kalapara (Patuakhali) Correspondent
More than 50 female students and several teachers and staff of MU Secondary School in Kalapara, Patuakhali, fell ill on Wednesday, with 29 students hospitalised by 7:00pm.
The students, from Classes VI to X, began experiencing convulsions and breathing difficulties around 1:30pm. They were taken to Kalapara Hospital, Amtali Hospital and various clinics for treatment.
The incident triggered panic across the school as students began falling ill one after another. Teachers, local residents and guardians rescued them and arranged transport to nearby hospitals.
One Class X student first developed convulsions and breathing difficulties during the tiffin break. Similar symptoms soon appeared among her classmates before spreading to students in Classes IX, VIII, VII and VI.
The affected students said they suddenly experienced breathing difficulties, followed by convulsions that left them unable to move their hands and legs.
Witnesses said they were unable to understand what was happening as students sitting beside them suddenly collapsed on the floor, leaving others frightened.
Teachers, local residents and guardians said 50–60 students had fallen ill. They transported them by autorickshaws, tomtoms and CNG-run vehicles. Some students also fell ill after returning home.
Patuakhali-4 MP ABM Mosharraf Hossain, Upazila BNP President Haji Humayun Sikder and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Arifuzzaman visited the hospital after learning about the incident, leaving a government programme to do so. They arranged beds, medicines and round-the-clock medical care for the students.
The MP said the students had begun recovering following prompt medical intervention. He instructed the hospital authorities to ensure continuous treatment and care.
Dr Manik Mia, a physician at the hospital's emergency department, said the students appeared to be suffering from hysteria or a psychologically related condition. They had been admitted for treatment, but the exact cause would be determined after medical tests.
Hospital emergency department doctors and officials said several of the 29 hospitalised students were in critical condition and might be referred to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal for advanced treatment. They added that more sick students were still arriving at the hospital. #EK
