A severe diarrhoea outbreak has struck the hostels of Ravenshaw University, leaving more than 40 students hospitalised at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha.
The crisis, attributed to contaminated drinking water and unhygienic food preparation, has raised serious concerns about the living conditions in the university’s hostels, particularly as the institution prepares for a high-profile visit from President Droupadi Murmu in just two days.
The outbreak began on Friday night when students from the New PG Hostel and Dharmapada Hostel consumed their meals and went to bed. By Saturday morning, several students reported feeling unwell, experiencing persistent diarrhoea and vomiting.
The situation worsened after the midday meal, with the number of affected students rising sharply from 10 in the morning to over 40 by the afternoon. Many of the affected students are in critical condition, adding to the urgency of the situation. Initially, the sick students sought treatment at the campus dispensary, but with no improvement in their condition, they were rushed to SCB Medical College. Some were transported by fellow students on bikes, while others were ferried by ambulances. The rapid spread of the illness has created an atmosphere of fear across the university, with students in other hostels refusing to eat or drink from the hostel facilities. Some have even begun preparations to return home, wary of consuming potentially contaminated water or food.
Preliminary investigations point to contaminated drinking water and unsanitary conditions in the hostel kitchens as the primary causes. Students have long complained about the poor quality of water and lack of hygiene in food preparation, but their concerns have reportedly gone unaddressed by hostel authorities. The university’s 13 hostels, including their kitchens, are said to lack basic sanitation standards, with food being prepared and served in unhygienic environments. Allegations of negligence by kitchen staff have further fueled student frustration.
The timing of the outbreak is particularly troubling, as President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit Ravenshaw University in just two days. The incident has put the university administration under intense scrutiny, with the Vice-Chancellor being informed and the hostel warden inspecting the situation. However, students claim that despite earlier complaints to both the warden and departmental authorities, no meaningful action was taken to address the ongoing issues with water quality and kitchen hygiene.
The outbreak has also sparked fears that more students could fall ill, as other hostels rely on the same water supply. For now, many students are avoiding hostel meals altogether, with some even skipping dinner out of caution. The university administration is yet to release an official statement, but urgent measures are needed to restore confidence and ensure the safety of the student community.
As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on providing medical care to the affected students and addressing the root causes of this health crisis. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining basic hygiene and water quality standards in educational institutions.
