Dibrugarh: At least 58 people from Assam’s Dhemaji district have been admitted to the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) after allegedly suffering from suspected food poisoning following the consumption of prasad served during a traditional Nam-Kirtan event organised as part of a birthday celebration in Jonai.
According to reports, the religious programme was held on June 30, during which devotees and local residents were served prasad comprising moong, gram (boot), bundiya, bhujiya and fruits. No illness was reported immediately after the event.
However, around 12 hours later, from July 1 onwards, several attendees began experiencing severe vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
The affected persons, including men, women and children, were initially treated at the Jonai Primary Health Centre. As the number of patients increased and some required specialised care, 58 of them were referred to AMCH in Dibrugarh on July 2.
Ambulances were deployed to transport the patients, who arrived in Dibrugarh on Wednesday night, while emergency medical teams were kept on standby to manage the situation.
Hospital sources said all the patients are under medical observation and are in stable condition. No fatalities have been reported.
The district administration and the Health Department have launched an investigation into the incident. Officials are expected to collect samples of the prasad and other food items served during the religious gathering for laboratory examination to determine the cause of the suspected food poisoning.