Bhubaneswar, July 23: More than 30 girl students of the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) hostel at Sargada in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district were affected by a diarrhoea outbreak on Thursday, prompting the hospitalisation of 19 students.

According to official sources, the students developed diarrhoea symptoms during the day, triggering an immediate response from the health department. A medical team was rushed to the hostel to provide on-site treatment and conduct health check-ups for the affected students.

As the condition of 19 girls required advanced medical attention, they were shifted to the Rairangpur Sub-divisional Hospital. Doctors said all admitted students are in stable condition and are being kept under observation.

Officials suspect contaminated food or drinking water may have caused the outbreak, though the exact reason is yet to be confirmed.

The district administration, health department and education authorities have stepped up monitoring at the hostel. Special arrangements have been made to ensure safe food and drinking water for the remaining students, while sanitation and hygiene measures have been intensified to prevent further cases.

Block Education Officer (BEO) Dilip Kumar Nand visited the Rairangpur hospital to assess the situation. Speaking to ANI, he said that two vehicles were immediately arranged to shift the affected students after information about the outbreak was received. He added that doctors have confirmed the students' condition is stable and that medical teams are continuing treatment and health screening at the hostel.

The incident has caused concern among parents and local residents, particularly as similar health issues have been reported from residential schools in the region in the past. Authorities have assured that a detailed investigation will be carried out to determine the source of the outbreak and appropriate measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

Health officials continue to closely monitor the condition of both the hospitalised students and those remaining at the hostel.