90 children hospitalised after having mid-day meal at Rajasthan school

Nearly 90 children of a government school in Rajasthan’s Dausa district were hospitalised on Friday after they complained of stomach pain and vomiting after having their mid-day meal. Authorities have launched an inquiry into the suspected case of food poisoning, officials said.

The incident took place at the Government Higher Secondary School in Chudiyawas village, where 156 students had eaten chapati and vegetables as part of the nutrition scheme.

Soon after lunch, several children started feeling unwell. Within hours, dozens of students complained of nausea, stomach cramps and vomiting, creating panic among parents and school staff.

A medical team rushed to the school and began treating the affected children.

As the number of cases grew, the children were shifted to the Community Health Centre in Nangal Rajwatan.

From there, doctors referred some students to higher medical facilities. By evening, 49 children were admitted to the Dausa District Hospital for further treatment.

Officials said additional doctors and nursing staff were deployed to handle the sudden rush of patients.

By late evening, health authorities confirmed that all the affected children were out of danger.

District Collector Devendra Kumar, who visited the hospital, directed officials to ensure proper treatment and comfort for the children.

He also ordered an investigation into the cause of the illness. "The food inspector has collected samples of the meal served at the school. The entire matter will be probed thoroughly, and strict action will be taken against those found guilty," he said.

State Minister Kirori Lal Meena and BJP leader Jagmohan Meena also visited the district hospital to meet the children and their families.

They instructed doctors to provide the best possible care and assured parents that the government would take the matter seriously.

School authorities, meanwhile, said the meal was prepared as usual and claimed there had been no complaints the previous day.

“Chapatis were made from the same flour yesterday and even two teachers tasted the food before serving it today,” one staff member said, adding that they would cooperate fully with the inquiry.

The incident has raised concerns over the quality and safety of meals served under the government’s nutrition scheme.

Authorities said the inquiry will determine whether contamination occurred during preparation, storage or distribution of the food.

For now, all admitted children are reported to be stable, and officials are closely monitoring the situation.

- Ends