Viral Video shows saline bottles hanging on ropes outside Hospital, over 300 patients getting treatment on road
Buldhana: In a case of suspected food poisoning, over 300 people including children reportedly received medical treatment while lying on the ground outside a hospital in Bibi village, Maharashtra.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night during a religious event in Buldhana district's Lonar area. The people complained of food poisoning after consuming 'prasad' and were administered saline bottles fitted on the trees outside the hospital.
The district health authorities have confirmed that all the patients are currently in stable condition and have been released from the hospital.
A video of the incident flooded social media showing the affected people laying on mats outside the hospital owing to bed shortages due to the sudden influx of patients. Some showed saline bottles - administered to the patients - were hanging from a string attached to trees with anxious relatives crowding around.
In the video, the children and the elders could be seen lying side by side on a mat on the ground and getting the IV treatment with saline bottles hanging from the ropes that were hooked to the trees.
The incident took place on Tuesday night during the ‘Harinam Saptah’, a week-long religious event, at Somthana village in Lonar taluka, Buldhana district collector Kiran Patil told PTI.
“Around 200 villagers complained of nausea and vomiting after consuming Prasad during the function. While 142 of them were admitted to the rural hospital at Bibi, 20 others in Lonar and 35 patients to a facility in Mehkar,” he said.
However, according to a report by India Today, an update mentioned 100 more patients to the tally who received IV treatment for potential food poisoning.
The incident sparked huge panic among the villagers following the tragedy where Devotees from Somthana and Khaparkhed villages came to the temple at 10 pm to take 'prasad' and after consuming the 'prasad', they complained of stomach pain, nausea and vomiting.
With complaints of vomiting, nausea, stomach pains and cramps, they were rushed to local hospitals late Tuesday night and by Wednesday afternoon, most had recovered and all patients are reported to be out of danger, even as a probe has been ordered.
A team of doctors were deployed in the village with an ambulance and other necessary equipment in case a medical emergency arises, he said.
Meanwhile, the police and health authorities have collected samples from the 'maha-prasad' meals for forensic analysis as part of the probe initiated into the potential tragedy.
“Samples of prasad have been sent to a laboratory for analysis and an inquiry will be initiated,” the collector said.
In an update on the cases of food poisoning, All India Radio reported that over 700 individuals fell ill due to food poisoning during a religious event in Maharashtra's Buldhana, Nandurbar, and Hingoli districts.
In Buldhana district, 100 individuals were admitted to the rural hospital after consuming Prasad and experiencing food poisoning symptoms in Lonar. Similarly, in Nandurbar district, over 250 people fell ill after consuming prasad in Ranale. District Health officials said that more than 150 had already been discharged after recovery.
In the Hingoli district, more than 150 individuals were affected by food poisoning in Renapur. They were admitted to the government hospital after exhibiting symptoms such as vomiting and nausea. On Wednesday, 30 people were admitted to the hospital due to worsening symptoms.
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