Over 21 students fell ill and seven other scholars were hospitalised after allegedly drinking polluted water at Government Engineering College in Uttar Pradesh’s Mainpuri, a health functionary said on Friday. The matter came to light when quarter health officers learnt that a large number of scholars from a council in the quarter were admitted to a sanitarium. PP Singh, Chief Medical Officer of Mainpuri (CMO) and Madan Lal, Centers for Medicare and Medical Services (CMS) of Maharaja Tej Singh District Hospital incontinently reached the quarter sanitarium to gather information and review the condition of the students.
Madan Lal (CMS) said it was set up that at least 21 students pursuing Engineering courses in a Government Engineering College were admitted to a sanitarium since February 9, with symptoms of puking and dysentery. At present, he said seven scholars are witnessing treatment at the sanitarium, adding that others were discharged. The condition of 21 engineering council scholars worsened after drinking water from the water cooler on Thursday late. A schoolteacher from the council said that the administration also got advice after the condition of engineering council scholars deteriorated. The Food and Safety Department platoon reached the council and sealed the sample of polluted water for examination. Scholars who came victims after polluted water expressed apprehension of toxic substances in the water. “In a hurry, everyone was brought to the quarter sanitarium where seven scholars were admitted. Others were discharged after first aid,” he said.
“Water samples from water tanks, cleansers and cooler machines have been transferred to the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department for clinical testing. Prima facie, it seems like polluted water could be the cause of the illness,” the health functionary said. A schoolteacher from the council said that the administration also got advice after the condition of engineering council scholars deteriorated. The Food and Safety Department team reached the council and sealed the sample of polluted water for examination.