Baripada: Forty-six girl students of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development (SSD) Department-run girls’ hostel at Manatri in Mayurbhanj district’s Baripada block fell ill with vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain following dinner Tuesday night.
The students reportedly developed symptoms late at night, with the number of affected girls gradually rising to 46.
Hostel authorities rushed them to the nearby Manatri Primary Health Centre (PHC) in ambulances and other vehicles for treatment.
Some students were later shifted to the Bada Sahi Community Health Centre (CHC) due to a lack of beds at Manatri and the condition of some of the patients.
A special medical team is treating the affected students. Doctors said their condition was stable and they were out of danger.
Food poisoning or consumption of contaminated drinking water is suspected to have caused the illness.
However, the exact cause will be known after laboratory tests.
Mayurbhanj Collector Hema Kanta Say reached the hospital after receiving information about the incident and took stock of the students’ health.
He directed doctors to ensure proper treatment.
The Collector later visited the SSD girls’ hostel and inspected the kitchen, dining hall and drinking water facilities.
The health department has been directed to collect samples of food and drinking water from the hostel and send them for laboratory testing. A high-level inquiry has also been ordered.
The district administration said strict action would be taken against anyone found negligent in the discharge of their duties.