Andhra Pradesh CM Takes Swift Action Following Mass Hospitalization of Students
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has taken serious cognizance of a distressing incident in Rajahmundry, where approximately 100 students from the Devarapalli Boys Ashram Hostel in Polavaram district were hospitalized. The Chief Minister has issued directives for stringent measures against those found responsible for this alarming situation.
Immediate Suspensions and Medical Response
In a rapid administrative response, the deputy warden and the cook of the hostel have been suspended with immediate effect. Project Officer Smaran Raj of Rampa Chodavaram provided detailed insights into the unfolding crisis. He reported that the incident began on Saturday morning when 18 students initially exhibited severe symptoms including vomiting and acute stomach pain shortly after consuming breakfast.
The situation escalated dramatically in the afternoon, as an additional 70 students were admitted to the hospital in multiple phases, presenting similar symptoms accompanied by fever. As of the latest reports, 43 students remain under active medical treatment, while the others have been stabilized.
Precautionary Measures and Investigation Underway
To ensure comprehensive safety and optimal medical care, all affected students have been transferred to the Rampa Chodavaram hospital. The hostel, which normally accommodates 277 students, witnessed 105 falling ill. Notably, even the remaining 177 students, who are currently stable, have undergone precautionary medical examinations as a preventive measure.
Preliminary investigations strongly point towards contamination of either the food or water supply as the likely cause of this mass illness. Several students have reported that the idli and chutney served during breakfast had an unusual and concerning taste, which has become a focal point of the ongoing inquiry.
The state administration is maintaining a vigilant watch over the situation, with Chief Minister Naidu emphasizing the need for a thorough probe to prevent any recurrence of such incidents in educational institutions across Andhra Pradesh.
