12 students fall ill after drinking hand pump water in West Champaran

Bettiah: As many as 12 students of Government Primary School, Refugee Colony, located in Bhainsahi village under Chanpatia block of West Champaran district, fell ill on Tuesday morning after complaining of stomach pain, headache, and vomiting, causing panic on the school campus. According to officials, the students began feeling unwell immediately after the morning assembly.

Chanpatia block education officer Lokesh Jha said that the children reported these symptoms to the school’s headmistress, Mala Kumari. He said, “The students were immediately taken to the Additional Primary Health Centre (APHC) in Bhainsahi for treatment.”

Medical officer at APHC, Dr Pradeep Kumar, said after initial treatment, all 12 children were referred to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Bettiah for better medical care. He said, “Their condition is currently stable”.

School headmistress said the children drank water from a hand pump on the school campus. Some students also told teachers that they had eaten mulberry fruit while coming to school.

Following the incident, the hand pump was inspected and a water sample was sent for testing. Officials stated the exact cause of the illness would be known only after the test results are received.