Rain-contaminated water leads to dysentery infection

An outbreak of dysentery among schoolchildren has been reported in Xingguo county in east China's Jiangxi province, local authorities said on Wednesday.

From Thursday to Tuesday, dozens of pupils, aged from 6 to 12, of Liening Primary School in Xingguo's Changgang township have been suffering from fever and diarrhea, according to the county's press office.

As of Wednesday, 67 students remain in hospital for treatment and observation. Fifty-three of them were confirmed with bacillary dysentery. The children had drunk water from a school well, which had been contaminated by rain, according to an initial investigation.

The school, which has 575 pupils, has been closed since Friday. Classes are expected to resume on Thursday.

A water company has started sending water to the school so staff and students no longer have to rely on the well.

The education department of Jiangxi has issued a notice to all schools to ensure safe drinking water for students.