Lizard in idly: Quaid-e-Millath college students hospitalised

While 48 of them were admitted at Royapettah, the rest were under observation at RGGGH. “The students were brought to hospital in 108 ambulances and Dr Subbulakshmi who was on night shift duty at Royapettah Hospital attended on them,” said a police official. While most of them were discharged on Monday morning, a few girls remained under observation in both hospitals. 

“Four of them vomited, while others complained of nausea, stomach pain and headache. These are the usual symptoms in case of lizard poisoning. The students would have panicked after seeing the lizard and developed nausea,” said Ananth Prathap, Resident Medical Officer, Royapettah Hospital.

Meanwhile, Food Safety officials visited the college mess on Monday and collected samples of the idly batter and sambhar for laboratory tests. “Officers periodically visit the college canteens and mess premises for inspection,” said Kathiravan, a food safety official. 

Functioning on a dilapidated building in the college campus, the mess caters to about 400 hostel students of the college. Besides, this is not the first time Quaid-e-Millath College is in the news for suspected food poisoning. 

In October 2015, students protested against the college administration after a couple of students fell ill after consuming the hostel food. The college administration was not available for comment.