Food poisoning at Devarapalli ashram school: 35 students discharged

As many as 35 students of the Government Tribal Welfare Ashram School for Boys at Devarapalli have been discharged from hospital, while 10 others have been advised to remain under medical observation on Monday in Rampachodavaram mandal of Polavaram district.

On February 7, at least 106 students reportedly fell ill after consuming a semi-cooked breakfast at the Ashram school-cum-hostel. All the affected students were admitted to the Rampachodavaram Area Hospital and the Maredumilli Primary Health Centre.

Tribal Welfare Department In-charge Director V. Prasanna Venkatesh said on Monday that only 10 students were still under observation in the two hospitals.

Mr. Prasanna Venkatesh, along with Polavaram District Joint Collector and Rampachodavaram Integrated Tribal Development Agency Project Officer B. Smaran Raju, inspected the Ashram school as part of the inquiry. They interacted with students who had recovered and sought details about the food quality and the government-prescribed menu. The officials also had lunch with the students to assess the quality of food being served.

Responding to the students’ appeals, Mr. Prasanna Venkatesh directed tribal welfare officials to immediately ensure the supply of safe drinking water and undertake repairs to toilets to improve hygiene conditions.

It is learnt that the Deputy Warden and the cook were suspended on February 8 on charges of negligence in discharging their duties. Mr. Prasanna Venkatesh is expected to submit a ground-level report on the incident to higher authorities.