In Bihar’s Supaul district, more than 100 students from a government school became ill after partaking in a mid-day meal. This incident occurred at Middle School Mirjawa, located in Ward 10, under the jurisdiction of the Triveniganj police station.
Some students reported discovering a dead scorpion in the potato-chickpea curry that was served. Following the meal, numerous pupils began to experience symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, dizziness, throat irritation, and general discomfort.
School officials and teachers promptly sought medical assistance, transporting the affected students to the Triveniganj Sub-Divisional Hospital.
“All the children received initial treatment, and their current condition is stable and not life-threatening,” stated Dr. BN Paswan from the Triveniganj Sub-Divisional Hospital.
The district administration has initiated an inquiry into the situation. Pankaj Kumar Singh, the District Project Manager of the Mid-Day Meal Programme, mentioned that officials are investigating the claims and will take necessary actions if any negligence is discovered.
“After consuming the mid-day meal, several children reported stomach discomfort and vomiting. Some students have alleged that a scorpion was present in the food. We are looking into the matter, and strict measures will be enforced if any lapses are identified,” Singh remarked.
This incident follows a similar occurrence earlier this year when a Class 5 student died and over 100 students at a government-run tribal school in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, fell ill after a school meal.
At the Kakabandha Ashram School, students suffered after consuming food that deviated from the approved school menu, which included fermented rice, mashed potatoes, and mango chutney that were served on a Sunday morning. Many of the students subsequently reported symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
In a related incident, at least 48 children fell ill after a mid-day meal at a government higher primary school in Jamalapur village, located in Karnataka’s Bidar district. This event occurred on January 31 in the Aurad taluk, where several students complained of vomiting and diarrhea shortly after the meal.
