Over 250 hospitalized after food poisoning at mass weddings in Rajasthan

Over 250 people, predominantly women and children, were hospitalized after experiencing symptoms of food poisoning at two separate mass wedding events in Rajasthan. The incidents took place in Udaipur's Dhanmandi and Bharatpur's Gazipur village, where large feasts were held for the attendees.

In Udaipur, a majority of the hospitalized patients were admitted to MB Hospital, where authorities set up an additional emergency ward to accommodate the large influx. Over 220 individuals were brought in with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. According to hospital superintendent RL Suman, the hospital initially received 30 patients, but within an hour, the number surged to over 200. Medical teams, including an additional set of doctors, were deployed to handle the situation. While most patients were discharged after treatment, 27 individuals remained hospitalized. A 15-year-old girl was reported to be in critical condition and was admitted to the pediatric ICU. The mass wedding was attended by approximately 6,000 guests, including attendees from Udaipur and neighboring districts.

The feast served at the wedding included a variety of food items, with authorities suspecting contamination of the food to be the cause of the mass illness. Early reports indicate that guests who consumed sweets and a traditional dish experienced more severe symptoms of food poisoning. A large crowd of concerned family members and relatives of those affected also arrived at the hospital, leading to a chaotic situation that required the deployment of police forces to ensure order and prevent further issues. Authorities have stated that food samples from the feast will be collected for analysis, and results are expected to be available soon.

In Bharatpur, a similar outbreak of food poisoning occurred in Gazipur village, where around 60 individuals were hospitalized. Medical teams were dispatched to the village, and 17 patients were transferred to a hospital in Nadbai for further treatment. Guests who had attended the wedding feast also exhibited symptoms of food poisoning shortly after consuming the meal. The response teams worked quickly to treat those affected, and the cause of the food poisoning in Bharatpur remains under investigation. Similar to the situation in Udaipur, the authorities are collecting food samples for laboratory testing to determine the source of the contamination.

The outbreaks have raised concerns about food safety at large-scale events. Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer Omprakash Raipuria confirmed that women and children, who are more susceptible to foodborne illnesses due to their lower immunity, were among the most affected. Investigations in both Udaipur and Bharatpur are ongoing, with officials awaiting laboratory results to confirm the specific cause of the outbreaks. Both districts are taking precautions to prevent similar incidents in future large gatherings and to ensure that food safety standards are upheld at public events.