Home / Health / Jharkhand Fair Turns Sour: 175 Ill, Mostly Children
Jharkhand Fair Turns Sour: 175 Ill, Mostly Children
17 Feb
Summary
- Over 175 individuals, predominantly children, became ill from suspected food poisoning.
- The mass illness occurred at a fair in Palamu district following Mahashivratri celebrations.
- Most affected individuals suffered symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea since Sunday night.
In Jharkhand's Palamu district, a Mahashivratri fair resulted in widespread illness, with at least 175 people, primarily children, falling sick. The incident, reported from Dwarka village, occurred on February 16, 2026, after attendees allegedly consumed contaminated food. Many began experiencing symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea by Sunday night.
Most of the affected were admitted to the Panki Community Health Centre, though by February 16, only 22 remained under treatment. Health officials suspect food poisoning as the cause, with final confirmation pending investigation reports. The fair was held in the Raghua Khad area, drawing people from Dwarka and surrounding villages.
The health department has deployed additional medical personnel and supplies, ensuring continuous monitoring of the affected children. Authorities have stressed their readiness to manage any emergency situation arising from the outbreak.
