20 children hospitalised after suspected midday meal poisoning in Bidar school

Bidar (Karnataka): Atleast 20 children from a government primary school in Aurad taluk, Bidar district, were admitted to hospital on Tuesday following suspected food poisoning after consuming their midday meal, police confirmed on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at Jamalapur Government Primary School, where pupils were served sambar, rice and other items. Shortly afterwards, several complained of stomach ache and developed dysentery and vomiting.

Alarmed by the situation, teachers rushed all 58 pupils to Aurad Taluk Hospital as a precautionary measure. While all were given medication, only 20 displayed symptoms serious enough to warrant hospitalisation.

A senior official said the children were now out of danger. “Twenty children were admitted for treatment. Of them, five to six remain under observation, and a decision on their discharge will be taken shortly,” he explained.

Bidar Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma confirmed that the children were stable. She added that food samples had been collected and sent for laboratory testing. “Further action will be initiated based on the report. Disciplinary measures will be taken against those found responsible,” she said.

In a separate incident, the Telangana State Human Rights Commission (TGHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a suspected food poisoning case in which 22 pupils reportedly fell ill after eating a midday meal at Venkatapur Primary School in Sangareddy district, on January 29.

The Commission has instructed the District Collector of Sangareddy to provide a comprehensive report on the incident by February 24.

ANI