Over 20 pilgrims fall ill after consuming contaminated food | Bhubaneswar News
Balasore: More than 20 pilgrims from Bengaluru fell ill due to suspected food poisoning while passing through Soro in Balasore district. The group, which was returning home after the tour, experienced symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting late Wednesday night. According to sources, around 50 pilgrims had embarked on a 25-day pilgrimage bus journey from Bengaluru on April 26, visiting various religious destinations, including Ayodhya and Kashi in Uttar Pradesh. While en route to Puri from Gaya, the group halted near Soro, where dinner consisting of rice, curry, and sambhar was prepared and consumed.Shortly after the meal, over 20 members of the group began complaining of uneasiness, followed by episodes of vomiting and diarrhoea. Anuradha, one of the hospitalised pilgrims, said, “Within an hour of eating, many of us felt uneasy. I had severe stomach pain and began vomiting. Some of us couldn’t even stand properly. We were all so scared.”Local residents and fellow passengers rushed the sick persons to the Soro community health centre, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Doctors said all of them are stable.Preliminary investigations suggest that the illness may have been caused by the consumption of contaminated food, possibly worsened by the ongoing heatwave and prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures during the journey.Dr. Sumitra Dey, district public health officer, Balasore, said, “The illness may have been caused by consumption of contaminated food, possibly worsened by the ongoing heatwave and prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures during the journey. However, our medical team responded promptly, and their condition is now stable. We are monitoring all affected individuals closely, and food samples have been sent for laboratory testing to confirm the exact cause.Necessary precautions are being taken to prevent any further health complications.”
