Jharsuguda, August 18: At least 46 students of an upper primary school in Jharsuguda district were hospitalised on Saturday after they complained severe stomach pain and vomiting shortly after consuming the mid-day meal.
“Forty-six students from Jamera Developed Upper Primary School in Jharsuguda Sadar Block were hospitalised on Saturday as they complained of severe stomach pain and vomiting shortly after eating mid-day meal. The students were served rice, dal and egg,” said school authorities.
School teachers and members of the School Management Committee (SMC) quickly shifted the affected children to the district headquarters hospital using ambulances and private vehicles. As many as 22 students with more severe symptoms were admitted to various wards while others recovered after primary treatment.
All the 131 students were present in the school consumed the meal at around 10 am. Within minutes after taking the meal, several students reported symptoms of stomach pain and nausea. Preliminary reports suggested that the eggs served in the meal may have been rotten that caused the illness.
District food safety inspector Sibasin Horo collected food samples from the school and sent to Bhubaneswar for lab testing.
Chief district medical officer (CDMO) Dr Jaykrishna Nayak has confirmed that health conditions of the hospitalised students have improved.
District collector Aboli Sunil Naravane visited the hospital to assess the situation and instructed the medical staff to ensure the students receive proper care.
