The district administration was caught on the back foot as soon as the news of 31 children of Mau school falling ill after eating mid-day meal flashed on Saturday afternoon.
District Collector Vasavaraju not only rushed to the school but also summoned the district health staff with strict instructions to provide best treatment to the affected children. The doctors breathed a sigh of relief when during the general check-up, barring 31minor ill, all 178 children were found hale and hearty. Notably, some students of Mau school complained of vomiting (nausea) and dizziness. Already stung by the recent Bihar mid-day meal tragedy in which over two dozen schoolchildren died after consuming poisonous meal, the entire district administration got into frenzy by the news and rushed to school to control the situation. As a precaution, the Collector ordered general health-check up of all the students of the school. However, after the check-up the doctors found 178 children in fine health. Other students also recovered after administered some medicine. later, students and their guardians, who had also gathered after hearing the news, were sent to their houses in government vehicle. Doctors assured that condition of all children was normal and there was no need to worry. They also asked parents of the children not to get swayed by rumours.
Notably, on Saturday afternoon, after taking mid-day meal some students of Mau school complained of nausea and dizziness. The news spread like wildfire in the area sending the district administration in a tizzy. Collector Vasavaraju and all his subordinates reached the district hospital where all the students were brought by ambulance. On the instruction of the Collector general health-check up of all the children was conducted. In all, 31 children who complained feeling nausea and dizziness were admitted in to hospital wards while others were let go. The condition of the ill children was stated to be normal but they would be kept under observation for 24 hours before their release. Doctors have refused presence of any poisonous substance in children. However, some of the children alleged that a dead lizard was found in the meal. Meanwhile, tehsildar present at the school seized a part of the meal and sent it to laboratory for test. After getting the information, Revenue Minister Dayaldas Baghel, Nagar Palika president Ashok Chhabda, Derhu Dhritlahre and other public representatives reached the hospital whereas in district officials besides Collector Vasavaraju, SDM Q A Khan, SDOP Paul, Tehsildar Mahipal, DEO Hemant Upadhyay, CMO Dr Sharma, BMO Dr Yadu and others were present.