Food poisoning sickens 150 students in Tapi school
POSTED January 29, 2011 - 17:10 | POSTED BY Neharika Sabharwal
Last edited by Silky Chandvani on January 30, 2011 - 00:23
In addition, another 130 pupils are under observation and their condition is being closely monitored.
Chief District Health Officer, Tapi, Dr S K Isnova said, "Some 153 students of the Navoday Vidhayala have been affected due to food poisoning after they consumed food yesterday evening.
"Twelve children have been referred to Vyara civil hospital for treatment while others are being treated by a team of doctors at the school itself.”
Food poisoning linked to rice and curry
According to district authorities, the outbreak seems to have originated from the rice and curry that the students of the Centre-aided residential school were served for dinner on Thursday.
By midnight, many of the victims of food poisoning complained of uneasiness, vomiting, stomach pain, dysentery, and dehydration.
The incident prompted the principal of the school to inform the health department. A group of six medics was immediately dispatched from Vyara and they arrived the school in the early hours of Friday.
Following a medical examination, 20 students in critical condition were admitted to the Referral Hospital in Vyara with the symptoms of acute dysentery. Hospital sources said all the students were out of danger.
Vyara taluka health officer Dr R S Soni stated, "Everything is under control now. Condition of the students admitted to the hospital is stable. Our medical teams are camping in the school where the remaining students are undergoing treatment."
Food samples sent for testing
The exact cause of the food poisoning has not been established yet, but specialists from local health department have ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, the samples of food and water have been sent to the laboratory for testing.
Deputy Collector N K Damor said, "We talked to the school staffers to know more about which type of food is given to the children and how do they take care of hygiene. We have called the contractor who runs the kitchen service. We are waiting for the lab report to decide our future course of action.”
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