Shivpuri (Madhya Pradesh): As many as 500 villagers fell sick due to food poisoning from eating stale food at a Bhandara in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri, as reported on Wednesday.

The religious feast was organised for the Hanuman temple consecration ceremony in the district.

By Tuesday night, 95 critically ill patients were shifted to the district hospital. A medical team has been deployed in the village since Wednesday morning to monitor the situation. The local administration is investigating the cause of the outbreak and working to control it.

According to information, the illness began on Sunday morning, a day after the Bhandara held on Saturday. Villagers started experiencing vomiting and diarrhea, after which the health department set up a medical camp on Monday, where 300 patients were treated. Among them, 91 were sent to Karera Hospital and 24 to Sirsod Hospital. 

Situation worsened on Tuesday

However, the situation worsened on Tuesday, with several patients falling sick again after being discharged. Many new cases also emerged. In response, another medical camp was organized, where a team of three doctors treated the patients. By late Tuesday night, 95 people were referred to the district hospital for further treatment.

Some villagers alleged that they did not receive proper medical care. Omkar Lodhi, who is undergoing treatment, claimed that patients were only given medicines when they needed IV drips. Many villagers who sought treatment at private hospitals in Sirsod fell sick again.

Similarly, Pawan Lodhi shared that his mother was admitted to Sirsod’s government hospital, where she was given only one IV drip before being discharged. However, her condition worsened again on Tuesday.

Suspicions of Food Contamination

Asha worker Avdhesh Jatav, whose 10 family members are sick, believes that some chemicals may have been mixed in the food, as the symptoms are lasting longer than usual.

Officials Respond

District Medical and Health Officer Sanjay Risheshwar stated that he stayed in the village until late Tuesday night. He explained that food poisoning symptoms can last up to three days and that many villagers left the hospital too soon, leading to a relapse.

Currently, 12 patients remain admitted at Karera Health Center, while 95 critical patients have been shifted to the district hospital. Authorities are investigating the cause of the food poisoning and working to contain the crisis.  The religious feast was organised for the Hanuman temple consecration ceremony in the district.