16 students at Gurukul in Baghlingampally fall ill in suspected food poisoning
The students developed vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps shortly after dinner, prompting the school staff to shift them to the hospital
By - Newsmeter Network
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Hyderabad: Sixteen students from a Minority Gurukul school in Baghlingampally were admitted to King Kothi District Hospital late Thursday after a suspected food poisoning incident.
The students developed vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps shortly after dinner, prompting the school staff to shift them to the hospital.
Symptoms indicate foodborne illness, says hospital
Dr Santosh, Medical Superintendent at King Kothi Hospital, said the children arrived with symptoms typically seen during foodborne illness.
“Sixteen students from the Baghlingampally Gurukul school were brought in with signs suggestive of food poisoning. Preliminary assessment points to contamination in the food they consumed at night,” he said.
“The primary concern was fluid loss. We stabilised them with hydration and supportive care. All the children are currently stable and under observation,” the doctor added.
Parents were assured that no child is in critical condition.
Food samples and drinking water samples taken
Officials from the School Education Department, Minority Welfare Department and GHMC Food Safety Wing began an inquiry on Friday morning. Food samples, stored ingredients and drinking water from the school kitchen were collected for laboratory testing.
The school management has been instructed to submit details of the menu, procurement of raw materials and kitchen hygiene practices. Police have also been informed as part of routine procedure in institutional food poisoning cases.
Similar incidents in Telangana this year
The Baghlingampally case is among several foodborne illness incidents reported across Telangana in 2025:
• Kothagudem (February 2025): More than 30 students of a government-run residential school fell ill after consuming breakfast. Health officials later linked the illness to improper storage of cooked food.
• Siddipet (June 2025): Around 20 intermediate students from a private hostel reported vomiting and stomach pain. The investigation suggested contaminated drinking water as the likely cause.
• Mahabubnagar (September 2025): A group of schoolchildren were taken to the district hospital after eating mid-day meals suspected to be spoiled due to delayed distribution.
• Nizamabad (October 2025): A dozen students at a women’s hostel developed similar symptoms after dinner. Officials found lapses in the kitchen’s sanitation practices.
These incidents have led public health experts to repeatedly stress the need for strict monitoring of hostel kitchens, routine food safety inspections and better training for cooks and staff.
Report expected in two days
Parents gathered at King Kothi Hospital expressed concern but said they were relieved after doctors confirmed the children were stable. Hospital staff have arranged regular updates for families until all students are discharged.
Authorities are expected to issue a preliminary report on the Baghlingampally incident within two days.
