A school from Telangana’s Karimnagar district has come under the radar after 32 students were admitted to the hospital, after having contracted food poisoning allegedly after eating the food from the school mess.
On Tuesday afternoon, 20 girls from the Government Model Residential Girls’ College in Kesavapatnam mandal of Karimnagar district, were taken to a primary health centre (PHC) after they all complained of severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and loose motions. The girls were examined and taken to a nearby government hospital for further treatment. Later in the evening, 12 more girls from the school were also admitted with similar complaints.
It was later discovered that 32 girls had eaten the food served by the mess at the school for breakfast and lunch.
“All 32 of them have made a full recovery and have been discharged from the hospital. A team of experts also went to the campus to probe what may have led to such an incident,” stated Dr Ram Manohar Rao, Karimnagar District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) to TNM.
Food samples have also been sent for work-up to determine what may have caused the students to fall sick. Upon inspection of the school, officials allegedly found that the overhead tank, the water from which is used to cook food at the school, was very dirty. A probe has been launched to find out whether the water was the reason the students fell sick.
This is not the first time that such an incident has taken place in the state. Earlier in January 67 girls from a school in Ranga Reddy district in the state had fallen ill after eating food served at the hostel mess. A case was registered against the school principal and cooks after several parents complained against the school. The case was filed under section 337 of the Indian Penal Code (causing hurt by act of endangering life).