Over 70 fall ill after community feast in Odisha's Balasore

More than 70 people, including 30 children, fell ill after consuming food at a community feast in Odisha's Balasore district, with at least 50 requiring hospitalisation, officials said on Friday, Aug 7th.

The incident occurred after a housewarming ceremony at Kharida village under Jaleswar police station limits on Thursday.

On Friday, those who had consumed the food and water developed diarrhoea and vomiting. Fifty people with severe symptoms were admitted to Jaleswar hospital, while others received first aid.

Hospital authorities said the illness was suspected to have been caused by contaminated food or drinking water. Samples have been collected from the village and sent for laboratory analysis.

A medical team has been deployed to the village to monitor the situation and provide treatment, officials said.