More than 100 middle school students have been sickened with bacillary dysentery in east China's Anhui Province, local authorities confirmed yesterday.

Students in Xincang Middle School in Taihu County saw doctors after developing diarrhea since Friday, according to the authorities.

More than 70 students had been hospitalized and by press time 34 were still receiving treatment but in stable condition, the authorities said. 

The provincial center of disease control and prevention has diagnosed the patients as having bacillary dysentery after testing their drinking water and taking samples. The center said unclean drinking water was being blamed. 

Local education authorities have ordered students not to drink unboiled water and schools to promote appropriate campaigns following the incident.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2006)