Mangalore: 76 school children fall ill after consuming mid-day meal

Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (EP)

Mangalore, Mar 7: As many as 76 students of Kinya Belaringe higher primary school under Ullal police station limits on Friday March 7 took ill after they consumed mid-day meals served in the school. They were rushed to a private hospital at Deralakatte

The children identified as Safan, Anisha, Tanshira, Fasila, Ashura, Afiza, Rehmat and Nihana were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital for severe vomiting and were discharged later in the evening after their recovery.  A child named Safreena is still in the hospital.

The children had complained of foul smell in the food to helpers in the kitchen.  The children however were asked to eat it.  After consuming the food, some children complained of giddiness followed by stomach pain and vomiting.  Some of the children were then taken to the hospital, said Safreena.

"Children with severe vomiting have been given medicine.  Some have complained of stomach pain and all have been given tablets.  An ambulance has been arranged by the department for those who experience stomach pain in the night. Samples of rice and sambar cooked as meal have been sent to the laboratory", said Dr Ratnakar, taluk medical officer and district executive.

The rice was taken from a new sack, said headmistress Rekha.

Ullal police visited the hospital.