50 students fall ill in Wardhannapet, Minister orders probe

WARDHANNAPET: At least 50 students fell ill in a case of suspected food-poisoning at the tribal welfare girls hostel in Wardhannapet of Warangal district. The incident had the government machinery scrambling with Telangana Minister for Women and Child Welfare Satyavati Rathode initiating remedial measures immediately.

Some reports claimed that a dead lizard was found in the food served to the students. The incident reportedly happened on Monday night during the dinner service at the hostel. The Minister alerted the district collector and the constituency MLA Aroori Ramesh to monitor the situation at the hostel and get the incident investigated. The Minister also directed the officials to provide better treatment for the students, who fell ill.

The Minister also personally spoke to the superintendent of MGM and enquired about the situation. Of the 50 who fell ill, eight girl students are reported to be stable. The doctors and ITDA officials informed the Minister that 22 more students were undergoing treatment at a local hospital in Wardhannapet. In all total 192 students are studying in the school cum hostel and about 150 students were served the food on Monday night. It is also alleged that the head cook of the hostel disregarded the complaint of a student who claimed a dead lizard was found in the food. A good one hour after eating the food 33 students complained of severe stomach ache before vomiting.

The minister ordered the medical staff to be vigilant and pay special attention to the health condition of the students. She also consoled worried parents of the students and assured them of all possible support from the government.