UDHAMPUR: As reported by general public of the villages Satyalta and Barmeen in Block Ghordi regarding cases of food poisoning. 86 complaints of acute gastroenteritis, including symptoms of loose motions and severe vomiting were recorded and subsequently admitted in hospital.
The district administration acted swiftly, attending to all affected patients at AH & GMC Hospital. Unfortunately, two patient arrived in a critical condition with unrecordable vitals, despite receiving CPR and consultations with paediatric two patient could not revived and was declared dead.
Subsequently, number swell up in hospital with similar symptoms. These patients were examined and admitted to the emergency ward. All the patients with unstable vitals reported for acute gastroenteritis and food poisoning.
The patients were given comprehensive care from Team of Doctors including Dr Vinod Gupta, HOD Medicine Department and Dr. Deepak HOD of Paediatrics. All admitted patients are responding well to treatment and are currently in stable state. As of now, a total of 86 patients have been admitted, including 35 children. Two patients have been referred to GMC Jammu.
Postmortem examinations of the deceased have been conducted, wherein visceral and stool samples from the deceased have been collected for further examination. According to patient history, all attended a wedding party on the intervening night of July 31, 2024 and later symptoms of food poisoning start developing in almost all those attend the wedding party.
In response to the incident a dedicated OPD was conducted for patients from Satyalta, Bermeen, Ghordi and Ramnagar who attended the wedding function. 43 reported to the OPD with 12 being admitted for further treatment. The rest were prescribed oral medications for respective symptoms. District Administration has established a dedicated help line for free registration and counter for distribution of free medicines for any such case.
Pertinent to mention here Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Saloni Rai has constituted an inquiry committee under the chairmanship of Tehsildar Ramnagar. The committee will submit the factual report within two days. Further, SDM Ramnagar Rafiq Ahmed Jaral along with comittee visited the affected villages to inquire into incident. They also visited the houses of deceased allegedly died due to food poisoning.
The investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the food contamination. Administration has assured the public that stringent measures will be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure the safety of food served at public gatherings. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of food safety and hygiene, particularly during large gatherings.
