3 weeks ago
Four more Park Institution girls admitted to RG Kar hospital
Many girls at a school in Kolkata, India, suddenly felt sick with fevers, headaches, and tummy aches.
Almost thirty of them had to go to a big hospital called RG Kar.
Some of them were sick enough that they had to stay overnight.
More girls got sick the very next day.
The doctors are running blood tests to figure out what made everyone ill.
The health officials think that many of the girls may have had a panic attack, which happens when people get very scared or stressed.
But it is also possible that something they ate or drank made them sick.
The officials say there is nothing to worry about and the girls are doing okay.
Most of the girls are expected to go home soon.
Until the test results come back, the doctors are keeping a close watch on everyone.
Twenty-four students of Kolkata's Park Institution for Girls were admitted to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Monday evening after falling ill at their hostel.
Four more students were admitted on Tuesday with similar symptoms, including fever, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain and dizziness.
Doctors are awaiting blood test reports to determine whether the illness is linked to an infection.
Health Department Joint Director Debashis Roy said most cases appear to be panic attacks, with contaminated food or water also a possibility pending test results.
Twenty-one of the students admitted Monday were likely to be discharged Tuesday, while three remained under observation with fever.
- Who
- Students of Kolkata's Park Institution for Girls, along with doctors, health officials including Debashis Roy, and West Bengal Health Minister Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay.
- What
- At least 28 students were admitted to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital with fever, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain and dizziness after falling ill at their hostel.
- Where
- Kolkata, at the school hostel near Deshbandhu Park and RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
- When
- Monday (24 students) and Tuesday (4 students), according to reports dated August 11.
- Why
- The cause is under investigation; officials suspect panic attacks in most cases, while contaminated food or water and infection remain possibilities pending blood test results.
Panic attack view
Food poisoning or infection view
Cause of the students' illness
Panic attack view
Health officials, including Debashis Roy, say most cases appear to be panic attacks and there is nothing to worry about.
Food poisoning or infection view
Food poisoning was initially suspected after the students fell ill following a meal at the hostel, and contaminated food or water remains a possibility, with infection yet to be ruled out via blood tests.
Key facts
- Total students hospitalised
- 28 (24 on Monday, 4 on Tuesday)
- Hospital
- RG Kar Medical College and Hospital
- School
- Park Institution for Girls, Kolkata
- Symptoms
- Fever, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain, dizziness
- Likely to be discharged
- 21 students
- Under observation
- 3 students
- Suspected causes
- Panic attack (most cases, per officials); possible contaminated food or water; possible infection
- Officials involved
- Debashis Roy (Health Department Joint Director), Health Minister Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay, ICMR-NIRBI team
Quotes
Debashis Roy
West Bengal Health Department Joint Director (Public Health)
““After seeing the patients and speaking to the doctors, it appears that in most cases, panic attack could be the reason for the illness. There is nothing to worry about.””
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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