JOIN USAs many as 120 students of Morarji Desai Residential High School in Peresandra of the taluk fell sick after consuming food ‘contaminated’ with a lizard on Friday.
According to the staff of the school, the students were served ‘vangibath’ for the breakfast without noticing that a lizard had fallen into the dish.
A student who noticed the dead reptile in the food raised an alarm asking others not to have the breakfast. Soon, some students complained of stomach pain and burning sensation, and were shifted to the district hospital by an ambulance.
Of the 232 students in the residential school, 120 took ill after consuming the food.
According to the doctors at the district hospital, a majority of the 71 students admitted to the hospital was suffering from stomach pain and vomiting. The children are recovering gradually and are out of danger, doctors said.
Meanwhile, District Health and Family Welfare officer Dr Bhaktavatsalam said no insect or lizard was found in the food. He said the sample of the food, rice, dal and other ingredients have been sent to Public Health Institute in Bangalore for analysis and the report would be available by Tuesday.
Deputy Commissioner Dr N Manjula has sought a report on the incident.