School kids fall sick after consuming I-Day sweets in Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Sambalpur/Bhadrak, Aug 16:

The number of school children from Lipinda panchayat under Jujumara block admitted to the district headquarters hospital in Odisha’s Sambalpur on falling sick after consuming sweets (boondi) served to them at their schools on the occasion of Independence Day celebrations has risen to 71.

However, hospital authorities have said that the condition of most of the children has improved.

“Condition of all children is now normal. We will serve them normal food for lunch today. Then we will think of discharging them. I have instructed my staff not to discharge the smaller kids today and keep them under observation for a day since symptoms can return. We will discharge them tomorrow,” informed Dr. Kodandadhar Rao, CDMO Sambalpur.

It may be mentioned here that yesterday, on the occasion of Independence Day boondi was supplied to different schools within the limits of Lipinda panchayat by the panchayat authorities for distribution among school children like in earlier years.

But children after consuming the boondi developed symptoms of diarrhoea and were shifted to the district headquarters hospital.

In a similar incident, over 18 school children of Tumbapadi Nodal School in Kaupur panchayat of Bhadrak district on falling ill after consuming stale food served in the school on the occasion of Independence Day. The food was allegedly prepared the previous night.

These children who were initially admitted to the public health centre at Agarpara were shifted to the district headquarters hospital at Bhadrak after their condition deteriorated.

Hospital authorities have stated that after undergoing treatment their health condition has improved.

“They had taken pooris and curry on the occasion of Independence Day. In the evening they developed nausea and loose motion. Now their condition is stable. They are now active,” informed Dr. Karunakar Biswal, attending physician, Bhadrak district headquarters hospital.