Over 250 children fall ill after baby snake allegedly found in mid day meal in Bihar school

More than 250 children reportedly fell ill after consuming a mid-day meal at a government school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, where a baby snake was allegedly found in the food served to students.

The incident took place at Middle School Baluaha in the Mahishi block and triggered panic among parents and local residents after several students complained of stomach pain, vomiting and fever shortly after eating the meal.

The affected children were rushed to nearby hospitals and health centres for treatment.

According to family members of the students, a baby snake was allegedly discovered inside the container used to store cooked pulses served during the meal.

Sources said that around 545 students were present at the school on the day of the incident and nearly 200 children had already consumed the food before the alleged contamination was noticed.

Soon after eating the meal, many students reportedly began feeling sick.

Parents also raised concerns over the medical response at the hospital where the children were admitted.

“My son and my nephew also fell ill. One child is in Class 8 and another in Class 7. They are receiving medicines, though doctors here have been negligent,” a parent alleged.

Following the incident, the district administration launched an investigation into the matter.

Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar confirmed that authorities received information about multiple students falling ill after consuming the mid-day meal.

Officials said doctors informed the administration that the condition of the children had improved and there was no immediate cause for panic.

The incident has once again raised serious concerns over food safety and hygiene standards in government school mid-day meal programmes.