Hyderabad: At least 50 students reportedly fell ill after having dinner at the Women’s Polytechnic College on the outskirts of Pebberu town in Wanaparthy district on Thursday, October 8.
According to local reports, the students experienced nausea and other symptoms after eating chicken for dinner. The hostel warden’s husband reportedly took some students to the Pebberu Primary Health Centre (PHC) for medical tests.
The incident raised questions over whether parents and college authorities were informed promptly. Some students reportedly received medical attention, while college staff initially attributed the illness to fever rather than food poisoning.
In a video shared online, a student said she developed a fever after dinner, took medication and went to sleep, but began feeling unwell later. She added that several other students experienced similar symptoms and were taken to the hospital the following morning.
College authorities reportedly said a health camp had been conducted at the hostel on October 7, during which 22 students were diagnosed with viral fever. However, the principal reportedly denied having knowledge of the health camp, raising questions about the differing accounts.
Hospital staff reportedly supported the account of events provided by the hostel warden regarding the students’ condition after dinner. The cause of the reported illness has not been conclusively established in the information available.
Pebberu Municipal Chairperson Srinivas Gou, accompanied by Congress leaders, visited the college and enquired about the students’ health following the incident.
Further clarification from the authorities and details about the medical findings are awaited.
