Twelve children and an ayah from an anganwadi in the Ponnurunni East division of the Kochi Corporation reportedly complained of food poisoning-like symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea, allegedly due to contaminated water.
The incident occurred on Thursday (December 19) but came to light only on Saturday (December 21). Reportedly, three parents were also affected.
Health wing officials of the Corporation inspected the anganwadi and surrounding areas after receiving the report. “While the anganwadi and its premises were clean, the water stored in the overhead tank was found to be contaminated. We have sent water samples for testing,” they said. The contaminated water had reportedly been used for cooking food for the children in the anganwadi.
Besides, another water sample had also been sent to the lab of the Health department under the initiative of a doctor at the primary health centre near the anganwadi.
When asked why the incident went unnoticed for a couple of days, division councillor Dipin Dileep said that the families of the affected children might thought it was an isolated issue affecting only them.
The anganwadi functioned on Friday but will now reopen only after the Christmas vacation.
Published – December 21, 2024 10:35 pm IST