One dead, at least 29 sick due to suspected food poisoning at pvt residential school in Malavalli

MANDYA: A student has died and 29 others have fallen ill due to suspected food poisoning at a private residential educational institution in Malavalli, Mandya district. The deceased student, Kerlang (13), is from Arunachal Pradesh.

The incident occurred at a residential school in T Kagepura village. On Friday night, a businessman from Malavalli had organised a Holi celebration and served food to the students. On Saturday afternoon, some students started complaining of vomiting and experiencing diarrhoea.

The health condition of some students who had eaten the meal had deteriorated on Saturday. Despite this, the school administration was negligent and did not admit them to hospital. On Sunday morning, one of the students died.

Now, 27 sick students are being treated at Malavalli taluk hospital. The health of some students has deteriorated further, and five have been sent to Mandya MIMS hospital. Out of the 29 ailing students, 27 are from outside the state, and two are local students. All the affected students are recovering.

District health officer Mohan visited the hospital and inquired about the students’ health. He stated that the exact cause of death would be determined after the post-mortem examination.  Later, speaking to the media, he said that some Marwadis had prepared a meal on Friday night on the occasion of the Holi festival. “The same meal was also distributed to the students of the residential school. On Saturday afternoon, the students started vomiting and having diarrhoea. The doctors had treated them. A student who seemed to be alright died suddenly. The exact cause of death will be known in the postmortem”, he said.

The Marwadi community members who organised the Holi celebration and served food also experienced vomiting and diarrhea. They are undergoing treatment. An FIR has been registered in connection with the incident.

There are allegations that the educational institution was running illegally without permission and had taken in tribal students from Meghalaya without obtaining permission from the district administration. The educational institution has retained the students after obtaining signatures from the students’ parents. There have been allegations that the Education Department and the taluk administration are turning a blind eye despite being informed about this.

The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Malavalli Rural police station.