Children hospitalized following midday meal consumption in Bihar
In a concerning turn of events, at least 25 children were hospitalised following the consumption of mid-day meals at a school in Bihar's Darbhanga district. The incident, which occurred recently, has prompted an investigation, with promises of strict action against those found guilty.
According to reports, around 5-6 children fainted shortly after the mid-day meal was served, triggering panic among parents who quickly rushed to the school. By the time the parents arrived, more than 20 other children's health had continued to worsen. One of the affected children was reported to have fainted as well.
An alarm was raised about a lizard being found in the meal, leading to the food being discarded immediately. The school's mid-day meal in-charge, Sanjay Kumar Chaudhary, is currently investigating the incident.
The school's headmaster, Amit Kumar Mandal, who was away on duty as the Block Level Officer's supervisor, rushed to the school upon learning about the children's health. In addition, 29 additional children were rushed to the sub-divisional hospital for treatment.
At present, the cause of the mass hospitalisation remains unclear. Local health authorities are likely to investigate the incident, focusing on potential food contamination, hygiene standards in meal preparation, or supply chain issues. However, no official findings have been released yet.
The Bihar government and local health department have not issued any official statement regarding this incident. It is advised that for the latest and verified updates, one should refer to local government or health department releases and reliable news sources from the region.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene, particularly in school settings where children's health and wellbeing are at stake.
The incident raises questions about the hygiene standards in school meal preparation, which could potentially be linked to nutrition, a crucial aspect of health-and-wellness and a key area in science. The local health authorities should also investigate food contamination as a possible cause for the mass hospitalisation of children.
