Gandhinagar: A health scare has gripped J.M. Desai Vidhyamandir School in Jhank village of Dehgam taluka, Gujarat, where more than 120 students have fallen ill with symptoms including eye redness, irritation, burning sensation, and double vision.
The sudden outbreak has left health authorities scrambling for answers, as the root cause remains unidentified.
Out of 225 students enrolled at the school, 122 began showing symptoms starting June 30.
As of Wednesday, most of the affected children had been taken to Gandhinagar Civil Hospital for treatment and observation.
While most students were discharged after medical care, two remain under close observation.
Doctors at the civil hospital confirmed that all affected students are currently stable and have shown no signs of severe complications.
Medical teams at the hospital also provided meals and full support to the admitted children during their stay.
The alarming situation prompted swift action from the state health department.
Teams from the district administration and the Kadadara Primary Health Centre visited the school to conduct initial investigations and provide preliminary medical aid.
The students were later referred to Gandhinagar Civil Hospital for comprehensive testing.
Initial test results, including blood and urine reports, have ruled out damage to major organs such as the liver and kidneys, offering some relief to worried parents. However, the cause of the symptoms remains elusive.
To determine the source of the illness, officials from the health, food safety, and education departments have collected water and food samples from the school premises, including its hostel.
These have been sent to laboratories for detailed analysis, but the results are still pending.
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More than 24 hours after the first reports of illness, officials remain uncertain about what triggered the outbreak.
The lack of a confirmed cause and the apparent delays in coordination between departments have raised questions about the preparedness of local authorities to manage sudden health emergencies.
Investigations are ongoing, and the government has assured that all necessary steps are being taken to safeguard student health and prevent further spread.
