CUTTACK – Thirty-two students from Ravenshaw University were hospitalized Saturday after experiencing symptoms of loose motion, vomiting and fever, in what authorities have confirmed as a food poisoning incident.
The students, all residents of the New PG Hostel and Dharmapada Hostel, were admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital following the onset of symptoms Saturday afternoon. Five students were discharged the same day, while others remain under medical observation.
University registrar issued a notification Sunday clarifying the nature of the incident. The statement confirmed that medical authorities at SCB Medical College and Hospital determined the students were not affected by diarrhea or cholera, and were not treated in the cholera/diarrhea ward.
Students reported being served fish curry in the afternoon before falling ill. Following the incident, the university removed four staff members from their positions: the chief hostel warden, chief warden for boys, deputy chief warden for girls, and warden of New PG hostel.
Health and food safety officials visited the campus and collected food and water samples for laboratory testing. Chlorination was conducted as a preventive measure against further spread of infection.
Dr. Arun Sahu, city health officer-in-charge, confirmed that samples have been sent to the laboratory to determine the source of infection.
Three government officials visited the hospitalized students at SCB Medical College and Hospital: Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, and Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab.
The university stated that preventive measures have been implemented on campus and that medical teams are monitoring the students’ health conditions. The incident occurred ahead of the President’s scheduled visit Tuesday for the university’s annual convocation.
Dozens Hospitalized in School Food Poisoning Incident
NALGONDA – Thirty-two students at Ashram Gurukul School in Mudigonda, Nalgonda District, Telangana, were hospitalized on July 14, 2025, following symptoms of vomiting and loose motions. The students had consumed chicken meals on Sunday night and tamarind rice for breakfast on Monday morning before falling ill.
Thirteen students were in serious condition upon hospitalization but stabilized after treatment. Several others have since been discharged.
Doctors attribute the symptoms to “gas formation” linked to the consumption of pulihora rice, though investigations continue.
The Devarakonda Police Inspector confirmed the incident, noting all affected students are now stable.
Authorities collected food samples for analysis and established a medical camp at the school to monitor other students.
This incident adds to recent food poisoning cases in Telangana’s residential schools. Earlier this year, similar outbreaks affected students in Medchal and Kumrambheem Asifabad districts, the latter resulting in a student fatality. Opposition leader KT Rama Rao (KTR) cited over 1,000 such cases in the past year, criticizing the state’s oversight of hostel conditions.
60 Students at Girls’ Residential School Hospitalized Following Suspected Food Poisoning
DAHOD – Sixty students at a girls’ residential school in Mandor Lukhadia village, Dahod district, were hospitalized after falling ill from suspected food poisoning.
The students developed symptoms including vomiting, stomach pain, and nausea after consuming their evening meal. Initially, 12 students were transported to Limkheda Government Hospital for treatment. As the night continued, additional students reported similar symptoms and were taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Hospital officials confirmed all students are in stable condition following timely medical intervention. No severe complications have been reported.
Senior district officials and food safety inspectors arrived at the hospital during the night to evaluate the situation. The district administration and Food Department have initiated an investigation into the incident. Samples from the evening meal have been collected for laboratory analysis.
The school serves hundreds of girls from nearby tribal communities.
This incident follows a similar case on June 18, when 25 children in Bhawani Nagar became ill after consuming contaminated buttermilk, experiencing stomach upset and vomiting. Local health authorities treated the affected children and launched an investigation.
These events have led to increased food safety measures by the state government and Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA). Between April 2024 and March 2025, the FDCA seized over 351 tonnes of suspicious or substandard food items across Gujarat. Testing showed 1.45 percent of food samples failed to meet safety standards.
District Health Departments have been instructed to conduct routine food and water sampling. Local civic bodies have been directed to train kitchen staff in food handling and sanitation procedures. Leading nationwide food poisoning law firm Ron Simon & Associates says that awareness campaigns promoting safe cooking and storage practices are valuable in vulnerable areas where food safety standards may not always be practiced.
The investigation into the Dahod incident continues, with further details pending.
