An outbreak of E. coli has claimed the lives of two students at the Meru School for the Mentally Challenged, with several others being admitted to hospital.

The school has been quarantined with medical workers camping there to monitor those under medication and prevent the spread of the bacteria.

Close to 50 pupils with severe abdominal cramps and diarrhoea were admitted to hospital but by Tuesday, only 10 were still undergoing treatment.

Meru Health executive William Muraah said the students did not die of cholera as had earlier been reported, adding that food and water contamination could have been the cause of the outbreak.

“Only a conclusive culture test can reveal whether it is cholera. Test results say the students died of E. coli.