Over 25 devotees fall ill after eating fasting-day bhagar in Dharashiv; samples sent to FDA

More than 25 devotees of the Goddess suffered poisoning after eating bhagar during a fast in Dharashiv. Patients with symptoms of poisoning arrived in large numbers at the Bembli rural hospital and the Alani primary health centre on Monday night (the 19th). The incident spread worry among the devotees and their relatives.

At the Bembli rural hospital, 11 patients with suspected bhagar poisoning were admitted between 5 pm and 9 pm on Monday. One of them was in serious condition and was sent to the Dharashiv district hospital for further treatment. Four patients were sent home after treatment. The remaining patients were being treated under the supervision of medical officers.

A similar case occurred in Alani on Monday night. Fifteen patients were admitted to the primary health centre after showing symptoms of poisoning following the consumption of bhagar. They were sent to a hospital in Dharashiv for further treatment.

Some devotees felt symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and weakening eyesight after eating bhagar, and were then admitted to hospitals. At the Bembli rural hospital, medical officer Dr Dinesh Dambale, senior nurse Trupti Khot and other staff treated the patients. At Alani, medical officer Dr Gulve gave the patients immediate medical care and sent them to the district hospital for further treatment.

On receiving news of the incident, the district health department sent medical teams and monitored the situation. Samples of bhagar from the shop concerned have been taken and sent to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for testing. The shop has also been told not to sell the remaining bhagar.

District Health Officer Dr Satish Haridas said, "Earlier, two similar cases of poisoning had also been found in Tuljapur taluka. Samples of bhagar from Tuljapur, Bembli and Alani have been sent to the Food and Drug Administration. Medical officers and staff are keeping watch on the condition of the patients and the situation."