Over 250 hospitalized after food poisoning at Rajasthan mass weddings
What's the story
Over 250 people, mostly women and children, were hospitalized late on Sunday after suspected food poisoning at separate mass wedding ceremonies in Udaipur and Bharatpur, Rajasthan.
The MB Hospital in Udaipur had to set up a new emergency ward to accommodate around 220 patients from a wedding in Dhanmandi.
A 15-year-old girl remains critical while all but 27 patients have been discharged.
Medical response
Symptoms and response to food poisoning outbreak
Patients started exhibiting symptoms of food poisoning, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea soon after having the wedding feast.
This led the hospital to send an additional team of doctors for treatment.
Ram Rathore, one of the hospitalized, said he felt sick after eating and started vomiting. He also felt dizzy and nauseous.
Patients who had sweets and a traditional dish suffered severely.
Patient influx
Hospital's swift action amid rising patient numbers
The feast was organized for almost 6,000 guests, including from Udaipur and adjoining districts.
MB Hospital Superintendent RL Suman said they first got 30 patients, but the numbers crossed 200 in an hour.
Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer Omprakash Raipuria said women and children with low immunity were worst affected by the incident.
Ongoing investigation
Investigation underway to determine cause of poisoning
Once the lab reports are available, officials plan to collect food samples on Monday to ascertain the cause.
In a separate but similar incident in Bharatpur's Gazipur village, around 60 people were hospitalized after food poisoning during another wedding event.
Medical teams were rushed to the village, with 17 patients admitted to a hospital in Nadbai.