TV
Fear has gripped Ravenshaw University’s new PG hostel in Cuttack after a suspected outbreak of food poisoning left several students suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea.
Over 40 boarders have been infected, with 25 of them being later admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital. The affected students were shifted to the Diarrhoea and Medicine wards for treatment. According to the students, symptoms began soon after breakfast on Saturday morning. However, the exact cause of the illness is yet to be confirmed.
Students Blame Dirty Water Tank And Poor Food Quality
One of the students alleged, “There were a lot of issues with the hostel's food and drinking water facility. The water tank had not been cleaned for many days, and students are being served with substandard quality of food. They are suffering from food poisoning today because of the unclean water tank and drinking water.”
“We demand a proper investigation into the matter and the chief warden, as well as the food supplier, be immediately changed,” he added further.
Doctors Monitoring Students, Blood Tests Scheduled
A separate medical team has been deployed to examine and treat the affected students. Their condition is being closely monitored. Blood samples of the infected students will be collected today, while other related tests are scheduled for Sunday.
Administration On Alert, Inspection Likely
While the root cause of the sudden spread remains uncertain, students allege they were served poor-quality food and made to consume unclean water in unhygienic hostel conditions.
Though some of the ill students remain at the hostel, they are under strict observation. The Ravenshaw University administration is on alert and is expected to send a team for inspection. The team is likely to probe allegations against the warden and assess hygiene conditions at the hostel.
According to the university administration, an investigation will be conducted to check if the water tank was being cleaned regularly and whether the food preparation area meets required cleanliness standards.
