Food Poisoning Symptoms Reported at Seoul Elementary School

In a concerning incident, over 100 students and staff members at an elementary school in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, have exhibited symptoms consistent with food poisoning. Reports indicate that these symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever, began to surface on the evening of May 8. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, along with the Seodaemun-gu Health Center and the Seoul Regional Food and Drug Administration, are currently conducting an epidemiological investigation. An official from the education office noted that the number of confirmed cases may fluctuate as the investigation continues.

The school in question has been serving meals prepared by an external vendor in the gymnasium due to the closure of its cafeteria building, which was deemed unsafe. This closure followed a classification of the building as a 'D-grade' hazardous structure, which led to the postponement of the school year start date to March 10. It has been reported that the cafeteria was included in the buildings that received this low safety rating.