Patna, Aug 11 (IANS) More than 165 people fell ill after consuming prasad following a Satyanarayan Puja in Hiyadatpur village of Amni Panchayat under the Mansi police station area of Bihar’s Khagaria district.
Panic spread through the village after a large number of people reportedly fell ill around the same time, prompting family members and villagers to rush the affected individuals to Khagaria Sadar Hospital.
Patients continued to arrive at the hospital late into the night.
According to preliminary information, the Satyanarayan Puja was organised at the residence of Subodh Chaudhary, son of Mayaram Chaudhary, at around 7 p.m. on Monday.
Following the religious ceremony, prasad was distributed among devotees.
It is estimated that more than 250 people consumed the prasad.
Soon after consuming it, several people reportedly began experiencing health problems.
Children complained of vomiting and diarrhoea, while adults reported symptoms including dizziness, weakness and restlessness.
As the number of affected people increased, concern spread rapidly across the village.
After villagers informed the Mansi Primary Health Centre, the Health Department responded and arrangements were made to transport the affected individuals for medical treatment.
A large number of patients were subsequently brought to Khagaria Sadar Hospital, where doctors began treatment.
The hospital remained busy late into the night as more patients arrived.
Pranav Kumar, manager of Sadar Hospital, said ambulances were dispatched as soon as information about the incident was received.
He said arrangements were made for the treatment of the patients immediately after they arrived at the hospital.
A Health Department team has also begun collecting information about the incident and is monitoring the condition of the affected individuals.
Medical assistance is being provided according to the patients’ needs.
The fact that a large number of people reportedly fell ill after consuming the prasad has raised concerns about its quality and possible contamination.
However, officials have not yet established that the prasad was responsible for the illness.
The exact cause of the outbreak will become clear only after the Health Department completes its investigation and gathers the necessary information.
Meanwhile, the condition of the affected individuals is being closely monitored, while medical teams remain engaged in their treatment.
An atmosphere of concern continues to prevail in Hiyadatpur village following the incident.
–IANS
ajk/dpb
