Two separate health incidents in India have raised concerns about public health and safety. In Bihar’s Ara region, a concerning incident occurred where 31 children fell ill after consuming filarial medicine. The medication was administered as part of a health campaign organized within a school. All the affected children were rushed to Ara Sadar Hospital for immediate treatment. Thankfully, their condition is reported to be stable.
Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, a food poisoning outbreak affected over 120 individuals, including women and children. This incident occurred during Janmashtami celebrations after people consumed items made from buckwheat flour. The affected individuals experienced symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, and shivering after eating ‘puris’ and ‘pakodas’ containing the contaminated flour. Authorities from the District Food and Drug Administration have raided and sealed the shops of two vendors who supplied the contaminated buckwheat flour. A case has been registered against these vendors.
The incident was reported from various villages in the Farah police station area of Mathura district. Dr Bhudev Prasad, in-charge of the Health Department’s Rapid Response Team, confirmed receiving complaints of food poisoning from the affected villages. The Health Department, Farah Community Health Centre (CHC), and the District Hospital responded promptly to the situation. Patients were initially treated at the CHC, but as the number of cases increased, they were transferred to the District Hospital, the 100-bed Joint Hospital in Vrindavan, and SN Medical College in Agra. All the affected individuals are reported to be in stable condition.
Both incidents highlight the importance of ensuring the safety of medication and food supplies. Authorities are investigating these events to determine the causes and implement necessary measures to prevent future occurrences.
