42 tribals, including 15 children fall ill after consuming puja food at temple

District Medical and Health Officer J. Narasimha Naik interacting with tribal patients at Routulapudi CHC in Kakinada district on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: By Arrangement

At least 42 tribals, including 15 children, have reportedly fallen ill due to suspected food poisoning after consuming food during a puja performed by them at a local deity temple near Paderu in Alluri Sitharama Raju district on Tuesday.

The affected tribals belong to the Konda Kammara and Konda Reddy communities of Dabbadi village in Routulapudi Mandal, Kakinada district had travelled to Paderu to offer puja to their tribal deity.

Kakinada District Medical and Health Officer J. Narasimha Naik said: “The 42 tribals of Dabbadi village had prepared food in their village and consumed it at the temple during the puja on Sunday. On the same day, some of them fell ill and were treated at a local hospital. By Monday, all the 42 tribals including 15 children reported vomiting and were admitted to the Community Health Centre at Routulapudi.”

As of Tuesday, seven of them have been discharged, while 35 patients continue to receive treatment at the Routulapudi CHC. Their condition is stable. A medical camp has been set up in Dabbadi village to keep monitor the situation and prevent the spread of illness.

Published - June 17, 2025 07:50 pm IST