60 hospitalized in Mathura due to food poisoning on Janmashtami
What's the story
Over 60 people, including women and children, have been hospitalized in Mathura due to food poisoning. The incident occurred after they consumed food items made from buckwheat flour. The District Food and Drug Administration has taken action by raiding and sealing the shops of two vendors suspected of supplying the contaminated flour. A legal case has also been initiated against these vendors.
Affected areas
Food poisoning victims hail from five villages
The victims of the food poisoning incident are residents of Parkham, Baroda, Mirzapur, Makhdoom, and Khairat villages. They had purchased the buckwheat flour from two local vendors named Jhagdu and Rajkumar. These vendors sourced their products from major grocery merchants in Farah. The health crisis unfolded as people were observing a fast on Janmashtami and consumed 'puris' and 'pakodas' made from this flour.
Health impact
Victims experienced severe symptoms
Post consumption of the contaminated food, victims experienced severe symptoms including vomiting, dizziness, and shivering. Priyanka, a young patient at the government hospital, recounted her ordeal to news agency PTI. "We had fritters made from buckwheat flour last night. After that, I started vomiting and felt a burning sensation in my stomach," she said. Another resident named Pritam Singh confirmed similar symptoms among others who had consumed the same food.
Medical response
Health authorities respond to food poisoning crisis
Dr Bhudev Prasad, who leads the Rapid Response Team of the Health Department, confirmed that they received complaints of food poisoning from several villages under Farah police station's jurisdiction. Teams from the Health Department, Farah Community Health Centre (CHC), and District Hospital were mobilized to address this health crisis. As patient numbers rose, they were transferred to larger healthcare facilities including the 100-bed Joint Hospital in Vrindavan and SN Medical College in Agra.
Legal action
District administration takes action against accused shopkeepers
Following the incident, District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar Singh ordered the District Food and Drug Administration to raid and seal the suppliers' shops. The police are currently on the lookout for the accused shopkeepers. The CMO disclosed that six victims were admitted to SN Medical College in Agra, 15 to District Hospital in Mathura, and others were taken care of at a 100-bed hospital and CHC in Farah.