Over 150 fall ill after eating golgappa in UP, 33 hospitalised

Daijiworld Media Network - Siddharthnagar

Siddharthnagar (UP), Nov 8: More than 150 people fell ill after allegedly consuming golgappa from a local vendor in Uttar Pradesh’s Siddharthnagar district during the Diwali festivities, with around 30-33 patients, including children, requiring hospitalisation in a suspected case of mass food poisoning.

The incident triggered panic in Kalanakhor Pedari village and two to three nearby villages under the Khesraha police station area.

Officials said more than 150 people had fallen ill and were admitted to hospitals. A doctor on emergency duty told reporters that around 30-33 patients had been admitted to the Emergency Department.

“Around 18 children have been admitted to the PICU, and 15 patients are above the age of 15 years,” he said.

According to the doctor, the affected people developed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea two days after consuming food and drinks from a golgappa vendor in a village under the Khesraha police station area.

“Among those admitted, two-three were in serious condition, but now all of them are stable,” he said, adding that more patients were expected to reach the hospital.

“We have received information that more patients are reaching via bus,” the doctor said.

A similar food poisoning incident was reported from Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi district last month, when around 102 people fell ill after consuming 'khasta' food at a fair. Seventeen of them, including children, required hospitalisation.

The incident was reported from Kotwa village, where the outbreak triggered panic after several people complained of vomiting and diarrhoea. A team from the state Health Department rushed to the village to provide medical assistance.

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) also visited the spot and personally supervised the medical examination and treatment of those affected. During the inspection, 39 children and 63 adults were found to be ill.

According to the CMO, the health department team reached the village following a complaint from the village head and was investigating the incident at the time of filing the report. He said the situation was under control.