50 probationary SIs fall ill, hospitalised

Drinking of contaminated water Hyderabad: Some 50 probationary sub-inspectors of the Excise Department, including 10 women SIs, were hospitalised on Sunday morning after they fell ill reportedly due to contamination of the drinking water sources. The AP Prohibition and Excise Academy at Bandlaguda near Rajendranagar in city, where they were undergoing the training, was closed for a fortnight following the incident. All those hospitalised had symptoms of viral infection and body pain. Some white patches were noticed in their throats. Earlier in the day they were rushed to a private hospital from where they were shifted to government-run Fever Hospital. Superintendent of Fever Hospital Dr K Shankar explained that they had been given three types of antibiotics. ECG tests had been conducted on the patients. "Clinical investigations suggest viral infection and there were symptoms of viral pharyngitis. Their condition is stable but they require rest," he said. "It is a contagious and air-borne disease. It could have spread among the trainee batch through cough or other contamination," added the superintendent. The Andhra Pradesh Prohibition and Excise Academy, Bandlaguda, Rajendranagar had selected 180 trainees for the sub-inspector posts and a month-long foundation course was started on February 21. Those undergoing one-month physical training at the academy had complained lack of basic amenities including drinking water and rest rooms at the centre. Deputy commissioner of prohibition and excise M M A Faruqui explained that food, water and housing had to be taken care of by the trainee. They live in hostels around the academy. After the one-month training course, four months of field training would be given to the trainee batches. The trainees are from various districts of Andhra Pradesh.