NANCHANG, Sept. 18 -- Suspected food and water poisoning has hospitalized 320 people, most of whom are children, in east China's Jiangxi Province, local authorities said Thursday.

The patients, aged from 3 to 18 years old, have suffered from diarrhea, nausea, stomach pains and fever since Sunday in Lianhua County, according to the county health bureau.

As of Thursday morning, 21 are still hospitalized. Initial investigations suggest they contracted a bacterial infection from food or water poisoning, according to the bureau.

All affected people are in stable condition, according to the bureau.

The cause is under investigation.