To date, over 100 ailing infants have been sent to a local children's hospital for medical treatment.

On the evening of June 27, some of the 272 infants at the Gaotaishi Kindergarten began suffering fever, vomiting, and diarrhea after eating supper, said Li Chunhong, head of the city's health bureau.

An investigation group led by the vice-mayor found food poisoning was the cause of the illness, but details are not available.

The local authority has ordered the kindergarten dining hall closed for 15 days.

(Xinhua News Agency June 30, 2003)