Gareth Davis, Gleaner WriterPORTLAND:
CLASSES WERE disrupted at Titchfield High School, yesterday, after several people including teachers, were forced to seek medical attention, after they were exposed to 'pad-cow-itch', a plant that causes severe itching.
The plant, a direct relation to the 'nettle' family, is believed to have been deliberately planted at the staff room of the school by students who were reportedly reprimanded by teachers, last week, for unruly behaviour and fighting.
"This crisis situation started on Thursday," said a teacher who asked not to be identified.
"On Friday morning when we entered the staff room, we were startled as our bodies started to itch simultaneously, and the itching was becoming more and more unbearable."
The teacher said that several students after hearing the outcry of some teachers, also entered the staff room and they too, were affected immediately.
"It was a male student who then indicated to some of us that it was deliberately put in the staff room by students, to harm us," she added.
The teacher also said that because of the situation that was beginning to worsen, the school's principal, Ivy McKenzie had to terminate classes for the day, and everyone was sent home.
A group of students were spotted by The Gleaner on Friday afternoon, some of whom had severe rashes on their arms, faces, and chest.
"I went to see Dr. Bloomfield, and I received some medication including calamine lotion to treat the many rashes", said one student.
Efforts to contact the school's principal, were unsuccessful as her whereabouts could not be determined.
The Port Antonio police confirmed yesterday that they heard about the incident, and some parents have expressed a desire to lodge formal complaints. The Gleaner was told by a police personnel at the station, that the matter was being investigated by the local special squad.
The pad-cow-itch is a podded plant that bears a close resemblance to tamarind. Its outer shell is covered with silky spikes which are harmful on human contact.
