65 children in Suphan Buri province have been treated in hospitals in the province since Wednesday, after falling ill with a high fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, after attending Songkran celebrations held at the Banana Species Conservation Centre between April 13 and 17.

Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, director-general of Department of Disease Control, said today that initial tests show that the children were affected by Rotavirus.

He noted, however, that these initial tests need to be confirmed by lab tests from the Medical Science Department, the results of which are expected on Monday.

After having learned that all the patients attended Songkran celebrations at the Banana Species Conservation Centre, he disclosed that health officials were sent to there to collect samples of food and water and have had them sent for lab testing.

Dr. Thongchai admitted that, at this stage, it is unclear whether the food or drinking water sold at the centre were contaminated or whether the water, which was used for splashing or which was released from the water tunnel, were the culprits.

Since many people from different districts had attended Songkran celebrations in the Muang district, he said that health officials from all districts in the province have been told to warn people in their localities to note whether they or their children suffer from diarrhoea, vomiting or nausea and to have them sent to see a doctor immediately if so.