A devastating food poisoning incident has struck a hostel in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh, claiming the lives of three children and sending 37 others to hospitals. The tragedy unfolded on Monday after the children, residents of a hostel run by the Aradhana Trust, consumed samosas. Symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea quickly followed, leading to the hospitalization of 37 students across hospitals in Anakapalli and Visakhapatnam districts.
The condition of four children is reported to be critical, and they have been transferred to the King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam for specialized treatment. The deceased children have been identified as Joshua, a first-grader, and Bhavani and Shraddha, both third-graders.
The incident highlights a troubling trend of food poisoning outbreaks in educational institutions. Just days prior, on Saturday, at least 80 students from a district council school in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district were hospitalized after consuming biscuits provided in a nutritional meal program. The students experienced nausea and vomiting after consuming the biscuits, leading to their hospitalization. Fortunately, their condition is now stable.
These incidents underscore the importance of prioritizing food safety measures in hostels and schools. Thorough inspections of food preparation, storage, and handling practices are crucial to prevent such tragedies. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust food safety regulations and vigilant monitoring to safeguard the well-being of students and ensure their safety while attending educational institutions.
