40 children fall ill after midday meal at Patlikuhal school

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Seven children have been referred to Kullu Hospital, 20 have been discharged while 13 remain under treatment; probe ordered to determine the cause of illness after school lunch.

Kullu, August 19

Seven children have been referred from Patlikuhal Hospital to Kullu Hospital after falling ill following lunch at Government Primary School Badi in the Manali Assembly constituency. The incident occurred on Tuesday when around 40 children reportedly developed health complications after having their midday meal.

Out of the affected children, 20 have recovered and were discharged from Patlikuhal Hospital, while 13 are still undergoing treatment there. Seven children have been shifted to Dhalpur Hospital in Kullu for further treatment.

On Wednesday, a team of health officials, including Kullu CMO Dr Ranjit Thakur and a paediatric specialist, visited the hospital and examined the children. Health department teams have also been sent to Badi village to check the health of other children and residents and provide them with medicines where required.

Manali MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur also visited the hospital and interacted with the children and their parents. Following the incident, a committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Manali SDM to investigate the cause of the illness. Officials from the Health and Jal Shakti departments will collect water samples from the village and school for testing.

Parents said most of the children began feeling unwell shortly after eating lunch at the school. They urged the administration to conduct a thorough investigation and determine the exact cause.

MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur said the investigation has already begun and strict action will be taken if anyone is found responsible. He added that the condition of the children admitted to the hospital is now improving.