01-07-2025
122 students of residential school complain of irritation in eyes, blurry vision
Ahmedabad: As many as 122 students of a residential school in Zak village near Dehgam in Gandhinagar district complained of eye-related problems on Monday evening. The affected students, who complained of red eyes, irritation, blurry vision, and excessive tearing, were rushed to Gandhinagar Civil Hospital for treatment.
According to officials, the incident occurred around 4 pm at JB Desai Vidya Mandir, a residential school housing approximately 150 students. After consuming their afternoon meal—consisting of laddu, lentils (dal), rice, chapati, and curries—students began reporting discomfort in their eyes one after another.
Chief district health officer (CDHO) Dr A J Vaishnav said a total of 122 students were affected. "We dispatched a team after the local Community Health Centre (CHC) flagged the issue.
At the hospital, paediatricians, physicians, and ophthalmologists attended to the students. While most showed rapid improvement, two are still under observation due to persistent symptoms," he said.
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Dr Vaishnav added that the cause remains undetermined, though a reaction to an external substance is suspected. "We are awaiting lab reports of samples of food, water, and blood collected to confirm the cause," he said.
Sources familiar with the situation noted that the school was located near an industrial area, raising the possibility of a chemical leak or gas exposure. "It's plausible that emissions from nearby units could have played a role. A detailed investigation is underway," a source said.
Hospital officials confirmed that all but two students were discharged by Tuesday evening. "They responded well to initial treatment and medication. Most returned to the school or were sent home," a Gandhinagar Civil Hospital spokesperson said.
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