Twenty-two students at the Government Polytechnic College for Girls hostel in Pebbair, Wanaparthy district, fell ill after eating chicken curry served on Wednesday night, with officials examining possible food-borne illness and water contamination as potential causes.
The students began vomiting and experiencing severe abdominal pain a few hours after the meal. They also reported general body pain and symptoms of diarrhoea. Hostel staff initially provided tablets, while most of the affected students were shifted to a hospital near the hostel.
As the condition of 10 students became a concern, staff took them to the government primary health centre in Pebbair on Thursday morning. The students received treatment for dehydration, body pain and vomiting. Wanaparthy District Medical and Health Officer B Bhaskar Naik said all 10 students treated with intravenous fluids were later discharged.
Naik said officials were treating the incident as a common food-borne illness coupled with probable water contamination, but added that the exact source had not yet been established. The district health authorities’ assessment means the chicken curry remains a possible source, rather than a confirmed cause, while the water supply is also under examination.
According to officials, the hostel serves chicken curry to students every Wednesday. The meal was provided as usual on Wednesday, after which the students developed health problems within a few hours. The incident has therefore brought attention to the systems used to prepare, store and serve food in the hostel, as well as the availability of safe water for students.
The hostel has a reverse osmosis plant on its premises, but Naik said it had remained shut for the previous three days. During that period, hostel staff obtained water from outside. The timing of the plant’s shutdown and the reported illness has prompted officials to consider possible water contamination as part of their investigation, although no definitive link has been established.
Parents travelled to the hospital after students contacted them about their condition. The affected students remained under treatment while their families sought updates on their health. The district health officer’s statement confirmed that the 10 students who received intravenous fluids had been discharged, but the source report did not provide details of any laboratory findings, food testing or further administrative action.
The immediate investigation will determine whether the illness was linked to the food, the replacement water supply, or another factor at the hostel. Officials have not yet announced a confirmed cause or described any additional measures beyond the medical treatment and ongoing assessment.
