Argus News - Diarrhoea Outbreak: Class 5 Student Dies While Under Treatment, School Headmaster Suspended

Mayurbhanj, Apr 14: A class 5 student of a government-run residential school in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, who had fell ill due to suspected food poisoning on Sunday, succumbed while undergoing treatment.

The deceased student was identified as Rupali Besra.

According to reports, over 100 students of a residential school at Kakabandha under Rasgovindpur block in Mayurbhanj had fallen ill after having their meals.

Initially, 60 students of the school had developed health complications including abdominal pain, headache and vomiting after having their meals. Later, 40 more students of the school complained of similar complications.

Subsequently, the students were admitted to a community health centre (CHC) at Rasgovindpur.

Following the death of the student, widespread tension erupted at the Baripada District Medical Headquarters while on the other hand school headmaster Jayant Kumar Panigrahi has been placed under suspension.

Meanwhile, leaders from various political and social organisations criticised the district administration alleging negligence in handling the situation. They opposed the post-mortem examination, demanding immediate action and accountability.

As the protests intensified, police force reached the hospital and are trying to pacify.

Health officials are expected to conduct further inquiries to ascertain whether food contamination or any other factor led to the situation.