43 students fall ill after eating midday meal in school

Berhampur: At least 43 students on Saturday taken ill after consuming midday meal at a primary school at Aska in Ganjam district, about 45-km from Berhampur, official sources said.

All the students were admitted at the Aska hospital immediately and two of them referred to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur as their condition deteriorated due to dehydration, the sources said. A two-member team of pediatrician team from Berhampur rushed to Aska hospital for treating the affected students, said Sub-collector, Bhanjanagar Sudhansu Mohan Samal.

All the affected students were in good condition, he said. Around 140 students of the Tile Factory Upper Primary School, near Aska consumed the midday meal.

Soon, the students developed diarrhoeal symptoms and began vomiting and lever pain, said Block Development Officer Aska Balaram Mallick. The food was prepared by a local women self-help group (SHG), the BDO said.