40 Gurukul Students Fall Ill with Viral Fever, Diarrhoea in Atmakur

Rapid Summary

• incident: 40 students of Gurukul Residential School (Girls) in SPSR Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, complained of vomiting, viral fever, and diarrhoea on Saturday.
• Medical Response: Over 20 students were admitted to a nearby Primary Health Centre (PHC), while the rest were sent home; the condition of admitted students is stable.
• Possible Cause: The school is located near a dumping yard,which reportedly led to fly infestation and may have affected the students’ health. Sanitation workers cleaned the premises under Municipal commissioner supervision.
• Government Action: Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy held an emergency meeting with officials and directed them to visit the site and take immediate action. He instructed medical staff to transfer severely ill students to district hospitals for better treatment. Preventive measures across schools and hostels were recommended.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This incident highlights critical gaps in sanitation management near educational institutions, especially residential schools catering to vulnerable populations like children. The suspected influence of a nearby dumping yard suggests an urgent need for improved waste management practices that prevent such public health risks. while local authorities took swift action following the outbreak by cleaning the premises and monitoring affected individuals at medical facilities, this reactive approach underscores a larger systemic issue-the lack of preventive strategies against environmental hazards around schools.

The involvement of high-ranking officials such as Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy signals recognition at state levels but raises questions about proactive oversight mechanisms before outbreaks occur rather than after emergencies unfold.

For lasting solutions, enhanced coordination between municipal bodies responsible for waste disposal and education departments could be beneficial in safeguarding student welfare long-term.

[Published – September 13,2025 | Photo Credit – ARRANGEMENT]