4 Children Die, Over 20 Fall Sick At Lucknow Rehab; Food Poisoning Suspected

The deceased include four children including two girls and two boys of the shelter home aged between 12 and 17 years. Their bodies have been sent for post-mortem and their viscera will be preserved.

Around four children died and over 20 fell sick at a rehabilitation centre in Lucknow, UP.

Source : PTI

As many as four children died and several others fell sick at a government rehabilitation centre for children in the Para area in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the reason behind the sudden illness.

On Tuesday evening, over 20 special needs children living at the centre experienced sudden illness and rushed to Lokbandhu hospital. Officials said the children allegedly fell ill due to food poisoning, news agency PTI reported.

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The deceased include four children including two girls and two boys of the shelter home aged between 12 and 17 years. "Their bodies have been sent for post-mortem and their viscera will be preserved," Lucknow District Magistrate Vishak G told PTI.

Dr Rajeev Kumar Dixit, Medical Superintendent of Lok Bandhu Raj Narayan Combined Hospital, told PTI that around 20 children were admitted to the hospital on Tuesday evening from the rehabilitation centre.

"All these children are mentally challenged. They were severely dehydrated when they arrived. Despite our best efforts, two children died," he had said.

STORY | 4 children die, over dozen fall sick at Lucknow rehab; probe on

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Probe Underway To Determine Cause Of Death

Of these 20 children, two critically ill children were referred to another government hospital, while the condition of the remaining 16 improved. 

A medical team was also sent to the shelter home to observe the health of the remaining children there. "Around seven children were under medical observation at the shelter home. The health department team deputed at the shelter home is keeping an eye on the children there," the DM said.

A committee has been formed to determine the cause of the alleged food poisoning. The Health Department and Food Safety Department officials also visited the hospital to interview the affected children, another official said, as reported by PTI.

Both the departments have collected food samples from the rehabilitation centre for analysis. "Action will be taken based on the investigation report," the report qupted an official source as saying said. 

According to District Probation Officer Vikas Singh, the rehabilitation centre houses 147 children, primarily orphans and those with mental challenges.