Report

More than 80 female students of the Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram have reported symptoms of food poisoning after consuming a chicken dish served at the hostel mess. The incident, which unfolded on Thursday night, saw a rapid rise in cases of nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea among the residents of the women’s hostel.

Chicken Curry Suspected

Several students began experiencing symptoms after eating butter chicken at the hostel mess. According to Gatha K, a third-year medical student and SFI unit secretary, nearly 40 students visited the outpatient and casualty departments of the Medical College Hospital (MCH) by Friday. The number of affected students has since climbed to 84, though most cases have been reported as mild. “Some students have had two to three episodes of vomiting or loose stool,” Gatha said. “Thankfully, no one is in a serious condition. A few students have even gone home to recover.”

Cause Not Yet Confirmed

Despite the widespread symptoms, Dr. U. Anuja, Principal-in-charge of the college, said that there is no confirmed evidence of food poisoning. “We first noticed the issue when five students sought emergency care for diarrhoea on Friday. More students later reported similar discomfort, but most did not require medical intervention,” she said. She confirmed that food samples have been collected and sent for lab analysis to determine the cause of illness. Meanwhile, hygiene measures in the hostel kitchen have been intensified, and clean drinking water is being ensured.

Student Union Demands Immediate Action

The students’ union has voiced strong concern over the incident. “We plan to submit a formal complaint to the principal. If food poisoning is confirmed, we expect swift action,” said Gatha. She added that the issue might also be linked to poor drinking water quality and has called for a comprehensive audit of the hostel’s food and water facilities. The hostel mess is run on an annual contract, and the students are urging authorities to reassess and improve existing systems to prevent such incidents in the future.

Investigation Underway

The departments of Food Safety, Microbiology, and Housekeeping have launched a joint investigation. College authorities are monitoring the situation closely, with over 600 students residing in the hostel. The health status of the affected students remains stable, and results from the food sample tests are awaited. This incident underscores the urgent need for stricter food safety and hygiene monitoring in institutional kitchens, especially those catering to large student populations.

Source: Manoramaonline