Bhubaneswar, Aug. 27: The Balasore district collector has ordered an inquiry into the incident in which schoolchildren were taken ill after having prasad on the occasion of Ganesh puja held in a private school at Nuagaon under Basta block in the district.
"I have sought an inquiry report from the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan's project director," said district collector Pramod Das.
The incident took place in the Nityananda Saraswati Sishu Mandir at Nuagaon on Friday. Students, parents and teachers of the school had consumed dry prasad made of flattened rice, gur (jaggery), coconut, banana and cooked food, including rice, paneer and kheer.
"Since the cooked food is not available any more, the officer has been directed to collect the sample of ration from the shops those were bought as well as the water used for cooking," said Das.
"In my opinion, serving cooked food without proper care and supervision should be banned during rainy season," he said.
The school has 248 students. On the occasion of Ganesh puja on Friday, students from class I to IX, their parents and teachers consumed the food.
A source said 170 persons were taken ill after consuming the food on the very day. They suffered from nausea, giddiness and vomiting.
They were treated at three places - a temporary camp on the school premises, Baliapal Idco Hospital and Basta community health centre. The teachers of the school said they had no clue how the incident occurred.
A team of doctors and paramedics, headed by epidemiologist and former chief district medical officer Brajamohan Patra from the district headquarters, has been deputed to the spot to ensure proper treatment, said chief district medical officer Vivekananda Das.
"The team will not only treat the patients, but also conduct a probe into to the incident," he said.
"About 170 people had complained of vomiting and giddiness. While some of them were discharged after preliminary treatment, 91 were admitted in hospitals. Ten of them were released today in the morning. At present, the situation is not alarming. The condition of the patients is stable," he added.
