Doctors’ Team Visits Residential School After Death Of 2 Students In Odisha’s Malkangiri

Malkangiri: Two days after two students of a government residential school died in Odisha’s Malkangiri district due to unknown disease, a team of doctors visited the institution to take stock of the situation on Thursday.

According to sources, panic gripped the guardians after two students of Kalaganda Ashram Vidyalaya in Kaldapali panchayat under Padia block died on Monday and Tuesday respectively. They were identified as Pradip Muchaki of Class VII and Shantu Kurami of Class VIII).

They complained of fever, stomach pain, body ache and swelling of the limbs a few days back. They were admitted to the community health centre (CHC) at Padia but succumbed during treatment. As 12 more students had similar symptoms, they have been admitted to the district headquarters hospital at Malkangiri and the Padia CHC.

Of 172 students staying in the school hostel, around 50 students have already vacated the hostel in fear and gone to their houses.

As panic spread in the area, the team of doctors went to the school and collected blood samples from the students while the Health officials took the samples of water consumed by them.

“The condition of the students under treatment in Padia CHC is stable. We have collected the blood samples from the hostel boarders and sent those to DHH for laboratory test. We will confirm the ailment after getting the test report. The food safety officer has also taken the sample of the food and water served in hostel,” said Dr Buddheswar Majhi, a member of the doctors’ team.

District welfare officer Krupasindhu Behera also visited the school and gathered information about the deceased students and those infected.