Pabna, May 19 (V7N) -  A concerning incident has occurred at Kazirhat High School under Aminpur police station in Bera upazila of Pabna, where 41 students have fallen ill over the past two days, causing alarm among students and parents.

On Monday (May 19) at approximately 10 am, 35 students from the 6th and 7th grades, located on the second floor of the school building, suddenly fainted. This follows a similar incident on Sunday (May 18) when six students also lost consciousness.

Some of the students who fell ill have been identified as Maimuna Khatun, Sumi, Sumaiya, Jerin Islam, Jannatul, Zakia Akhter, Mariam Khatun, Lima Akhter, Saddam Hossain, Asif, Fatema Khatun, Dula Akhter, Maria, Asif Mahmud, Ziamin, Maria, Muhammad Ali, Rifat Hossain, Shakila, Sanjida, Fatema Khatun, and Afsana Khatun. The names of the remaining students could not be immediately confirmed.

Students reported that on Sunday, classes proceeded normally until around 3 pm when six 7th-grade students suddenly fainted. They received first aid at a local hospital. Then, today, Monday, at about 10 am, a larger group of 35 students from the 6th and 7th grades fell unconscious during class. These students also received initial treatment locally and were handed over to their families. Students have reported a peculiar smell emanating from two of the classrooms.

The news of these incidents has understandably triggered panic among parents and the wider community.

Saiful Islam, a guardian of one of the affected students, stated, "My child went to school fine in the morning. A little later, I heard they were sick. Not just one or two, but many children have fallen ill. We went to the school, brought our child home, provided local treatment, and took them home."

Parents expressed dissatisfaction, suggesting that if the school authorities had taken appropriate action after the initial six students fell unconscious on Sunday, today's larger incident might have been prevented. They also raised concerns about the cleanliness of the school classrooms and the overall security of the school premises. Some parents suspect that an outsider may have entered the classrooms and sprayed some kind of anesthetic substance.

Farhad Hossain, the acting headmaster of Kazirhat High School, acknowledged the incidents, stating, "In the last two days, 41 students have fainted. A foul odor is being detected in two classrooms. We suspect someone may have sprayed an anesthetic in the classroom. We are working to take all necessary measures in this regard. We are investigating whether any individuals in the area could be responsible. If we can identify them, legal action will be taken against them."

Dr. Tahmina Sultana Nila, Bera Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, commented, "The students may have become unconscious due to the sweltering heat or possibly food poisoning. However, without a proper examination, it is impossible to provide an accurate diagnosis. Our medical team has been dispatched to the school. Only a thorough health examination will reveal the true cause."

Morshedul Islam, Bera Upazila Executive Officer (UNO), stated, "I have been informed about the school students falling unconscious. I have instructed the headmaster to take necessary steps. The parents have taken their children home. A medical team has been sent to the location, and they will conduct an examination. The police have also been deployed and are investigating whether unclean conditions in the schoolyard and rooms or any other issues are contributing factors."

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