Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Dead Lizard Suspected After 40 Tamil Nadu Students Fall Ill
About 40 children became sick after eating a school meal in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu.
The school had about 50 students in Classes 1 to 8.
The children complained of vomiting, dizziness and stomach problems.
One child reportedly also had diarrhoea.
Many students were taken to Tiruvallur Government Medical College Hospital.
Most were treated and sent home, while one Class 5 student continued receiving treatment.
Reports differed slightly, saying either 38 students were hospitalised or about 40 were affected.
Officials suspected that a lizard may have fallen into the food because the kitchen was in a shed.
Two cooks were removed from duty, and officials ordered the kitchen to be cleaned, insects to be removed and the premises to be repainted.
Around 40 of roughly 50 students at Kottaiyur Middle School in Tiruvallur district fell ill after consuming a school meal.
Students reported vomiting, dizziness and other stomach-related symptoms, including diarrhoea in at least one case.
Local reports said 38 students were hospitalised, while officials described around 40 students as affected; most were later discharged.
Tiruvallur Collector S. Kavitha visited the hospital, and officials said the students were stable; one Class 5 student reportedly continued treatment.
Two cooks were relieved from duty, while disciplinary action and kitchen-cleaning measures were ordered after officials suspected a lizard entered the food.
- Who
- Around 40 students at Kottaiyur Middle School, along with school staff and local authorities.
- What
- The students fell ill after consuming a school meal, with symptoms including vomiting, dizziness and stomach-related problems.
- When
- On a Friday, according to one report; the exact date was not stated.
- Where
- Kottaiyur Middle School in Kadambathur block, Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu; students were treated at Tiruvallur Government Medical College Hospital.
- Why
- Officials suspected that a lizard may have entered the food prepared in the school kitchen.
- School
- Kottaiyur Middle School in Kadambathur block, Tiruvallur district.
- Enrollment
- Roughly 50 students in Classes 1 to 8.
- Students affected
- Around 40 students reportedly consumed the meal and later became ill.
- Hospitalisation
- Local reports said 38 students were hospitalised; most were later discharged.
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, dizziness and stomach-related symptoms, including diarrhoea in at least one case.
- Administrative action
- Two cooks were relieved from duty, and disciplinary proceedings were ordered against the headmaster, a teacher and the block development officer.
- Safety measures
- Officials ordered the kitchen cleaned, insects removed and the premises repainted; teachers were told to taste meals before serving them.
