14 students from Huaxing Middle School in Bei City accidentally ate tung seeds and were sent to the hospital. The hospital said most of the symptoms improved.

An incident occurred at noon today (1) at Taipei City's private Huaxing Middle School where a student accidentally ate the fruit of a tung tree. A total of 14 students were sent to Shin Kong and Taipei Wing General Hospital. Beirong admitted 4 junior high school sophomores, and their consumption ranged from half a pill to 8 pills. Among them, the student who ate 8 pills had severe vomiting and was weak, and may need to be hospitalized for observation for 1 to 2 days. The symptoms of 10 students admitted to Xinguang improved after treatment, and they were able to eat and were discharged one after another.

The Taipei City Fire Department received a report at 12:36 noon today that students at Huaxing Middle School on Yangde Avenue were suspected of becoming unwell after accidentally eating tung seeds. A total of 13 male students and 1 female student were sent to the hospital. Huaxing Middle School stated that a student accidentally ate the fruit of a tung tree on campus during the lunch break. After feeling unwell, he reported it to the head of the Academic Affairs Office. The school immediately assisted in seeking medical treatment, accompanied the entire process and notified parents.

Li Weiqiang, deputy dean of Taipei Rongzhong Hospital, said that he and Yang Zhenchang, director of the Department of Occupational Medicine and Clinical Poisons, went to the emergency room for a visit. The four students admitted to the hospital had eaten half, 1, 3 and 8 tung seeds respectively. They are currently in stable condition. They mainly suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach discomfort and nausea. They first adopt fasting, intravenous infusion and observation. Those who ate less may be able to return home tonight if their symptoms are relieved, while the student who ate 8 pills may be hospitalized and will be observed for 1 to 2 more days.

Yang Zhenchang pointed out that students who ate half a pill mainly suffered from stomach discomfort, those who ate one pill had weakness and nausea, those who ate three pills had more obvious vomiting, and those who took eight pills had severe vomiting and weakness. However, all four people were in good consciousness, and two of them underwent blood tests and the results were normal.

Yang Zhenchang said that tung seeds contain ingredients that can cause gastrointestinal toxicity. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain may occur after accidental ingestion. Some people may also experience diarrhea. According to past data, symptoms may appear in about 30 to 45 minutes. There is currently no special treatment, and supportive treatment is mainly given based on symptoms. Those with more obvious symptoms may need to be hospitalized for observation.

He pointed out that in the past, domestic accidental ingestion cases were mainly among primary and secondary school students. After the tung fruit is peeled, the seeds inside look a bit like nuts, and children may mistakenly think they are edible. Although the symptoms in most cases are not too serious, tung seeds are toxic and should not be eaten casually.

Qin Jiayi, a pediatrician at Shin Kong Hospital, said that the 10 students admitted had nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort, and one of them had vomiting. He ate up to 7 pills. The symptoms have improved and he can eat. After intravenous infusion treatment, blood test confirmation and dietary hygiene education, they were discharged one after another.