About 161 Egyptian students of al- Azhar University have been infected with food poisoning, with no deaths reported, spokesman for the Ministry of Health Yahia Moussa told Xinhua on Tuesday.

"So far, 161 students of al-Azhar University were hospitalized due to the food poisoning since Monday night," said Moussa, adding that 95 people were recovered, while others were still under treatment.

The students of al-Azhar University felt sick after having lunch at a dining hall on campus, located in Nasr City in eastern Cairo, the report said.

According to a report issued late Monday by the ministry of health, the meal contained rotting tuna.

Earlier this month, more than 500 students at al-Azhar University were hospitalized due to food poisoning. Protests over the incident led to the sacking of University President Osama al- Abd.