39 children fall ill after eating kheer at Himachal school, probe underway

At least 39 children fell ill after eating kheer at a Himachal Pradesh school. Health and Education Departments have launched a probe and collected food and water samples, while five children were referred to Kullu Hospital.

In Short

• At least 39 children fell ill after eating kheer in Bari Primary School, Kullu
• Symptoms included vomiting, diarrhoea and fever among affected children
• Health and Education Departments have begun investigations and collected samples

At least 39 children fell ill after consuming kheer served as part of the mid-day meal at Bari Primary School in Patlikuhal, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The children reported symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, fever.

The Health and Education Departments have launched an investigation into the incident. While 15 children were discharged from the hospital after treatment, the condition of the remaining children is also reported to be improving. Five children have been referred to the Regional Hospital in Kullu for further examination.

CHILDREN FELL ILL HOURS AFTER EATING KHEER

According to the school management, kheer was prepared on Tuesday at the request of the children. Around 43 children were present at the school that day.

A few hours after consuming the rice pudding, some children began vomiting. Others reportedly fell ill while returning home or after reaching home. Parents and villagers subsequently took the children to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Patlikuhal.

According to Kullu CMO Dr Ranjeet Thakur, 38 children were brought to the Patlikuhal CHC. Two children were referred to the District Hospital in Kullu on Tuesday, while three more were referred on Wednesday, taking the total number referred to five.

The children showed symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. Food poisoning is suspected initially, although the exact cause will be determined after the investigation and testing.

SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM SCHOOL

Following the incident, a Health Department team visited the school and inspected the area where the mid-day meal was prepared.

Samples of the rice and sugar used to prepare the kheer, along with water samples, were collected and sent for testing. The IPH (Irrigation and Public Health) Department had also collected water samples earlier.

Dhanu Devi, who prepares the mid-day meal at the school, said rice, milk and sugar were used to make the kheer. She said the rice was cooked first, followed by milk and sugar. According to her, the milk was sourced from the village, while water came from the school tap.

She also stated that she and the school teachers had consumed the same kheer.

PARENTS SEEK IMPARTIAL INQUIRY

Parents said the children were healthy until around 1 pm, after which their condition began to deteriorate.

One parent, Rajni, said some children started vomiting near the school gate and collapsed on the road. Another parent, Pankaj, demanded an impartial inquiry and raised concerns about possible contamination in the milk, sugar or other ingredients used to prepare the kheer.

SM TO LEAD INVESTIGATION

Local MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur has handed over the investigation to the SDM. He also visited the hospital and met the children and their families.

The Education Department is examining the entire process, from the preparation of the mid-day meal to its serving. The administration has said that action will be taken against those responsible if any negligence is found.

The Health Department has also constituted a medical team comprising doctors, a health educator, a Community Health Officer (CHO), health workers and ASHA workers. Medicine depots have been established in Bari and nearby villages.

The children's condition is currently improving, while authorities are awaiting the test reports to establish the exact cause of the illness.

(With inputs from reporter Manminder Arora)

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