Madurai temple feast: Over 80 hospitalised after food poisoning; probe ordered

At least 85 people were hospitalised on Wednesday after consuming food at a temple festival in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district, in what officials suspect to be a case of food poisoning. The affected individuals were rushed to various hospitals, with most admitted to the government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.

"A few others have been admitted to various hospitals in Virudhunagar.

Health authorities are currently investigating the incident," said the Dean of the Rajaji Hospital, adding that all patients are stable. The outbreak has triggered alarm as it follows closely on the heels of a similar food poisoning incident in Hyderabad. On June 2, over 90 patients at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Erragadda, Hyderabad, fell ill after consuming contaminated food, resulting in an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis.

One patient, identified as Karan, who was admitted for mental health treatment, collapsed and died despite resuscitation attempts. According to Hyderabad district collector Anudeep Durishetty, the outbreak began with 15 cases reported on the morning of June 3. By evening, an additional 60 to 70 patients had developed symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting. All were placed under close observation. In response, the Telangana government took swift action by terminating the hospital's diet contractor, G Jaipal Reddy, for what was described as “gross negligence” and a “serious breach of contract.” Health officials in both states are continuing their investigations into the causes of the outbreaks.