19 school kids fall sick on eating jatropha seeds

“The majority of these students belong to classes I,II and IV. They complained of vomiting,dizziness,nausea and drowsiness. Seven of them were in serious condition and were sent to the Civil Hospital,Ludhiana.

District Health Officer (DHO) Jaspal Singh informed,“Luckily the area health team was conducting a free medical camp in the village when this incident occurred and so we were able to give them first aid right away.” The health team has also taken samples “of the mid-day meal cooked for the children,samples of uncooked material and the jatropha seeds,” Dr Singh added.

“Prima facie I do not see any problem with the food cooked in the school for the teachers are perfectly fine and so are the other children,” he pointed out. “The school children were served channa dal and chappatis. This sickness has to do with jatropha seeds. In the past too we have had similar incidents reported from Fatehgarh Saheb and Amloh.”

Asked whether Jatropha seeds are poisonous,Dr Singh replied,“ I cannot say for sure but in this case the quantity eaten by the students is very high. The students break open the kernel just like we do for peanuts and eat the seed inside. A large quantity of shells strewn in the school show that these were eaten in excess.”

On the condition of the seven students referred to Ludhiana Civil Hospital,Dr Singh said,“It is not that these students are critical. They were more sick than the others and while we are assured of all medical aid here at Mullanpur,we sent these seven children to Ludhiana so that they can get better treatment.”