Over 36 students, several teachers reportedly treated for mould infections
The hall of the school was filled to capacity this morning, May 9, 2013 as persons turned out in numbers to vent their feelings about the mould situation, which they said should be viewed as an emergency.
Representative of the First District Honourable Andrew A. Fahie categorised the situation at the Isabella Morris Primary School as a “crisis”. Hon. Fahie used the opportunity at the meeting to call for more serious measures to be taken to address the situation.
The head teacher for the school, Mrs Sylvia Adams, reported that more than 36 students are currently being treated for complications that are suspected to have stemmed from the presence of mould in the school building. She also reported that almost every teacher in the school, including herself, has been seriously affected.
Several parents, who were at the meeting, said their children were not part of the 36 reported cases but have been having complications, some to the extent of having to seek medical attention both locally and overseas. There were also reports of cancerous conditions being experienced by at least two children and in both cases this was attributed to mould infections.
Parents did not buy into the proposals of temporarily relocating students without strong recommendations, the main one being that the proposed venue, the Carrot Bay Community Centre, be thoroughly inspected and sanitised before the move is made.
Hon. Walwyn told parents that he had only learnt of the situation at the most recent Government on the Road Community Meeting that was held in the Carrot Bay community and had taken a number of measures to address the situation but the problem kept recurring and subsequently resulted in the closure of the school for a number of days over the past weeks. He noted that the situation had reached to the point where the Department of Education was forced to look at closing the school to explore a number of possible alternatives for housing the students and teachers, the number one recommendation being the Carrot Bay Community Centre.
Parents were, however, not comfortable with the suggestion that if not tomorrow, Monday, students should be in a comfortable place, since they said they suspect that mould or other fungal problems may exist at the centre as it is more often closed than opened, there are leaks, and the carpeting is seldom cleaned or sanitised.
In addition, Hon. Walwyn had indicated that measures were taken to have the school building assessed by the relevant environmental body, which has since furnished a report and recommendations which he said the Ministry will be taking on board to rectify the problem. The minister was at pains in his appeal to residents to cooperate with the Ministry as he intends, with the support of the relevant health department, to have the situation addressed at the earliest possible time.
“Don’t think about extending the school term because I done stress to the max, I am being affected and it’s not only the children that are suffering, we as teachers are suffering, going down very sick. Minister, I don’t have a child, I don’t have a husband and I need those too and if this situation continues it's taking away my opportunity of getting any of the mentioned,” said a teacher.
One teacher, who had to be missing school for extended periods, walked up to the head table in tears and presented alleged evidence of her large medical bills incurred reportedly due to fungal infections. She pleaded for the situation to be handled as an emergency and for assistance to foot her medical bills. “Quick fix cant work, it wouldn’t work, why not just get us a new building, we are suffering, quick fix cant work.”
Parents were upset that such an extended time elapsed before it was recognised that the matter was of urgency. “Somebody would have to pay, seriously somebody would have to pay if you see anything should happen to any one of my children here in this school. I am a cancer survivor and I know what it is like and I don’t want anything to compromise my children or cause them to get cancer too, mould causes cancer. I am very serious, don’t let anything happen to my children because somebody will feel it, they going pay because I wouldn’t take it lightly,” said one parent.
There was also the suggestion by some parents that their children should be transferred to other schools for the rest of the school year while the problem is being addressed. They said they firmly believed, however, that the ultimate solution to the problem would have to be a new building.
Hon. Walwyn noted that a new school is a consideration but said considering the financial state of the government, he could not take it upon himself to promise that the construction of a new building is possible at this time.
The Isabella Morris Primary School remains closed until further notice.
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61 Responses to “Over 36 students, several teachers reportedly treated for mould infections”
I hope the country of Freedom will give us the truth on all the issues and medical reports
Now weeks later we are hearing and leaning something different…I cry for my country boss
The more a person is around mold the more sensitive to it they will become. This means that they can end up unable to tolerate being around even small amounts of mold. Their allergic reactions will also become more and more severe.
Symptoms that mold allergies cause include:
Cold or flu like symptoms
Coughing
Sneezing
Sore throat
Irritated, itchy throat
Blocked nose
Itchy nose
Runny nose
Sinus congestion
Sinus headaches
Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
Wheezing
Irritated, itchy skin
Skin rash, hives
Watery eyes
Red, bloodshot eyes
Itchy eyes
Itchy ears
Hair loss, baldness
Hay fever symptoms
Toxic Symptoms from Exposure to Toxic Mold
There are about 16 mold species which are toxic to humans. These molds put out highly toxic chemicals called mycotoxins.
Mycotoxins cause toxic symptoms which are much worse than the allergic symptoms caused by ordinary molds. Some of the symptoms caused by toxic molds include bleeding, damage to internal organs, mental impairment, cancer and even death in some cases.
Wa....n just too darn lie. I don't believe one word out of his mouth.
So, its not just a matter of moving the school from one place to another, bear in mind the consequences after this is done to the people in the infected buildings after they leave.