Anakapalli, August 19, 2024: A tragic case of food poisoning at an orphanage in Andhra Pradesh has resulted in the death of three children and the hospitalization of 37 others. The incident occurred on Monday at the Aradhana Trust-run hostel located in Kailasa Patnam, Kotavuratla Mandal, Anakapalli district.

Details of the Incident

The food poisoning outbreak was linked to the consumption of samosas served to the children at the orphanage. Following the meal, 37 students began experiencing severe symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea. The situation quickly escalated, leading to the hospitalization of the affected children across various medical facilities in Anakapalli and Visakhapatnam districts.

Four of the critically ill children were transferred to King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam for advanced treatment. The condition of these four remains severe as medical teams work to stabilize their health.

Victims and Medical Response

The three children who tragically lost their lives have been identified as Joshua, a first-grader, and Bhavani and Shraddha, both in the third grade. Out of the 86 students residing at the orphanage, 37 fell ill, and the loss of three lives has deeply affected the community.

Local officials, including the district administration and village head, promptly responded to the emergency. They coordinated the transportation of the affected children to nearby hospitals for immediate care.

Similar Incident in Maharashtra

In a related incident, food poisoning also struck a district council school in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, on Saturday. Around 80 students were hospitalized after consuming biscuits provided through a nutritional meal program. Symptoms of nausea and vomiting began around 8:30 AM, prompting a swift response from local officials.

A total of 257 students showed symptoms of food poisoning after eating the biscuits, with 153 requiring hospitalization. Seven students with severe symptoms were referred to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Civil Hospital for further treatment. Thankfully, the condition of the majority of affected students is now stable.

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