SEVEN suspected typhoid cases have been reported at a prominent all-boys school in the Central Division.
And the Ministry of Health has deployed a team to the school to carry out investigations and at the same time screen all students and teachers.
The seven students have been admitted at the school's dispensary and are undergoing treatment and tests.
Health Ministry spokesman Peni Namotu confirmed this to The Fiji Times yesterday saying they had placed a ban on the sale of food in the school premises and on food handlers for the students
The students were expected to go home this weekend, however Mr Namotu said the suspected cases of typhoid had stopped the school from releasing any students.
Some parents also confirmed their children who had come home because of injuries and sickness were asked to return to school as soon as possible.
"We are doing all we can for the safety of these students," Mr Namotu said.
"The team will provide awareness at the same time to the school while awaiting results from the hospital."
Mr Namotu said the ministry was suspicious after a large number of students were taken to the hospital and later admitted.
He said proactive measures had been put in place to prevent the disease from spreading.
"These are all suspected cases but once we confirm it they will be put in an isolated area so they are not in contact with the rest of the students," Mr Namotu said.
He said they were working closely with the Ministry of Education for the next cause of action if the situation got worse.
When contacted yesterday, the school principal said he was not in a position to release any information in relation to the issue. He said the Ministry of Education would be the best authority to release the information.
Education Ministry permanent secretary Doctor Brij Lal said as of yesterday afternoon they were yet to receive a report from the Ministry of Health.
"This is new and I am not aware of it at all," Dr Lal said.