More than fifty individuals were rushed for medical treatment in Madhya Pradesh's Rajgarh district following a suspected case of mass food poisoning linked to religious offering. The incident occurred late on Monday after attendees consumed prasad at a religious gathering in Gadiya Luhar village, which falls under the Khilchipur police station jurisdiction.
Sudden Onset of Severe Symptoms
According to officials, villagers began reporting acute health issues a few hours after the event. The primary complaints included a severe burning sensation in the stomach accompanied by continuous diarrhoea. As their conditions deteriorated rapidly, emergency services were alerted.
The affected were not limited to Gadiya Luhar village alone. Residents from the neighbouring settlements of Chhipipura and Negadiya also reported similar symptoms. In Negadiya, the simultaneous illness of multiple children and youths prompted villagers to call the 108 ambulance service for urgent assistance.
Night-Time Rush to Community Health Centre
Several ambulances were dispatched to the scene, ferrying patients through the night to the Khilchipur Community Health Centre (CHC). Officials confirmed that around a dozen patients arrived at the hospital during the night with symptoms consistent with food poisoning.
More than ten people, including children and young adults, were admitted to the CHC for intensive care. Several others exhibiting milder symptoms received treatment locally at the village level. Medical authorities stated that all patients were in stable condition after receiving primary treatment but remained under observation as a precautionary measure.
Health Department Launches Probe
The Madhya Pradesh health department has taken official cognisance of the incident and initiated a formal inquiry to determine the exact cause of the outbreak. As part of the standard investigative procedure, samples of the food served at the religious gathering are likely to be collected and examined in a laboratory.
This step is crucial to identify any bacterial contamination or toxic substance that may have caused the widespread illness. The investigation aims to prevent similar occurrences in the future and ensure public health safety during community events.
