Athletes fall ill at sports meet in Bihar

He completely ruled out the possibility of food poisoning and added that the food prepared by the same caterer was served to other participants lodged in the Arya Kanya High School and other places.

Acording to him, some of the participants felt nauseaous and started vomitting due to suffocation and heat. The participants were rushed to the Patna Medical College Hospital and were released after treatment. However, a few participants were still kept in the PMCH under observation.

The minister also admitted that the school was filled beyond its capacity and over 70 participants and their guardians were shifted to another place. The premises of the school were being cleaned and bleaching powder sprinkled in the campus, he said.

The minister said, “The eatables and drinks served to the participants were tested by the civil surgeon and found to be perfectly normal”. However, fresh food and other items were being served to participants from outside and kitchen work at the school had been suspended as precautionary measure, he informed.

Earlier, over 40 women participants had been hospitalised following complaints of uneasiness and vomitting. The participants had arrived here four days back from Madhepura, Katihar, Begusarai and Khagaria to participate in the sports festival.