SOME 15 pupils of a religious school in Pasir Gudang, Johor who were taken ill today could have been exposed to poisonous gas, said Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He said the ministry has contacted its officials there for updates on the case.

“We are following the case. By the looks of their symptoms there is a possibility they were exposed to poisonous gas. It could be a volatile compound,” he said at the Health Ministry today.

The pupils of Sekolah Mawar in Taman Mawar suffered vomiting and breathing difficulties after allegedly inhaling toxic fumes.

Pasir Gudang Fire and Rescue Operations Commander Ibrahim Omar said the emergency medical response services sent five of the pupils to the Sultan Ismail Hospital for treatment.

This incident comes four months after schools in nearby Sg Kim Kim were shut and hundreds of students were taken ill. 

Illegal dumping of chemicals in the river had caused nearly 6,000 people, mostly schoolchildren, to fall sick. They were treated for inhalation of toxic fumes.

A total of 111 schools in Pasir Gudang were ordered to shut. They were reopened after the term holidays on April 1.

Asked if schools around the area would be shut down, Dr Zulkefly said it was too early to say. 

“I need to see the situation and the level of toxicity. 

“We also have to look at the level of exposure. But what’s important is that our Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre is there.”

Dr Zulkefly said the agencies have also been alerted and are on the ground addressing the problem. – June 20, 2019.