Baripada: At least 14 girl students of Bhaliadiha Government Upper Primary School under Morada block in Mayurbhanj district were hospitalised on Monday after allegedly consuming contaminated food, officials said.
The affected students, all residents of the Kasturba Gandhi Girls Hostel located within the school premises, complained of stomach pain, vomiting and fever following the incident. They were admitted in serious condition to the Kisantandi Community Health Centre, where they are currently undergoing treatment.
The school caters to 324 students from pre-primary (Balbatika) to Class 8. Around 170 girl students stay at the Kasturba Gandhi Girls Hostel attached to the institution. The hostel is supervised by Headmistress Haripriya Mohanta, who also serves as Superintendent, while Sujatarani Panda is the Warden.
Attending doctor Chandramohan Singh said the students fell ill after consuming contaminated food.
However, Warden Panda maintained that proper quality food is being served at the hostel. The Head Teacher also echoed the same claim.
Block Education Officer (BEO) Bijay Kumar Panigrahi said that a medical team had earlier visited the school after the drinking water was found to be unfit for consumption. He added that a fresh inquiry would be conducted into the incident.
Further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause of the illness.
