Street Golgappas Trigger Illness In 115 People, 12 Hospitalised Across Rajasthan Village

Around 115 people, including a large number of children, fell ill after allegedly consuming golgappas (locally known as pani-patasi) sold by a street vendor in Polai Khurd village under the Simliya area of Digod subdivision in Rajasthan's Kota district. The incident triggered a large-scale medical response after dozens of villagers reported symptoms of suspected food poisoning within hours of eating the popular street snack.

According to health officials, the affected residents began experiencing vomiting, diarrhoea and severe stomach pain on Tuesday night, shortly after consuming the golgappas. As the number of patients increased rapidly, concerned family members rushed them to nearby hospitals and health centres for treatment. Officials said the sudden surge in cases prompted the Health Department to activate emergency measures to ensure timely medical care for those affected.

Twelve people with more serious symptoms have been admitted to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Simliya, while the remaining patients are being treated at a specially established health camp in the village. Medical authorities said most of the patients are stable and are receiving treatment for dehydration and other symptoms commonly associated with food-borne illnesses. The special camp was set up to manage the large number of patients locally and prevent overcrowding at nearby healthcare facilities.

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Acting on the directions of Block Chief Medical and Health Officer (BCMO) Rajesh Samar, the Medical Department deployed two medical teams along with a 108 ambulance to the village. The teams have been providing round-the-clock medical assistance, assessing patients based on the severity of their condition and referring critical cases to CHC Simliya for further treatment. Officials said the emergency response helped ensure that patients received prompt medical attention despite the unusually high number of cases reported from a single village.

Health authorities have also initiated an investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the mass illness. Officials are expected to collect and examine food samples from the street vendor to establish whether contamination or poor hygiene during preparation or storage led to the outbreak. The vendor's role in the incident is also likely to be examined as part of the inquiry. Authorities have not yet confirmed the precise cause of the illnesses, and the investigation is ongoing.

Food poisoning outbreaks linked to contaminated street food are not uncommon, particularly during periods of high temperatures when improper food handling and storage can encourage bacterial growth. Public health experts have repeatedly stressed the importance of maintaining hygiene while preparing and selling ready-to-eat food. They also advise consumers to purchase food from vendors who follow basic sanitation practices and use clean water and fresh ingredients.

Officials have appealed to residents not to panic and to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain or dehydration after consuming suspected contaminated food. The Health Department said it is closely monitoring the condition of all affected patients and will continue medical surveillance in the village until the situation is fully under control. Authorities added that further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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