Over 100 students suffer food poisoning at New Zealand University

Two university halls in New Zealand have experienced "carnage" due to a widespread outbreak of suspected food poisoning. There have been reports of early morning lines for washrooms, vomit spilling down building windows, and students skipping exams to rush to the restroom.

The University of Canterbury confirmed on Nov 5 that over 100 students reported vomiting and diarrhea at two of its residence halls on the night of Nov 3.

The source of the illness has not yet been identified. Students at the UniLodge-run University Hall and Ilam Apartments reported feeling unwell on the night of Nov 3 after consuming the provided chicken souvlaki dinner.

Students told New Zealand media that they woke up in the middle of the night with excruciating stomach pains and rushed to the bathroom, only to find lines of other students who were also feeling ill.

Some students were unable to make it to the restroom in time and vomited from their balconies, splattering the windows with a layer of fluids.

One student said that because the restrooms were overcrowded, she had soiled herself at the university library after using the restroom more than a dozen times on the morning of Nov 4.

After eating the chicken dinner, Plum Olsen and her partner, Lincoln Christensen, said they were so sick that they couldn’t sleep.

Some students were too ill to attend their exams at all, while others reported leaving mid-exam because they had to use the restroom frequently.

"I kept going in and out of the room, so I just decided to leave. It was carnage," one student said.

According to a statement from the university, students who were unable to take exams due to illness could request special consideration and might be given the opportunity to retake them in the coming weeks.

The national public health agency will assist in investigating the cause of the illness, and those affected are advised to contact UniLodge for electrolytes, bottled water, and packed meals, according to the university.

UniLodge said that it is providing support to students who are becoming ill in its dorms.

To address the issue, UniLodge said it is working closely with the university, the health service, and the University of Canterbury Student Association, which it claims supplies food to the halls.

"The investigation is still ongoing, and the cause has not yet been determined," said Luc Mackay, head of the students' association.

According to Mackay, the association and the university are working closely together to mitigate the impact on the affected students.