Days after a mass food poisoning incident affected around 1,500 people in Dhoong village, Gujar Khan, the exact cause remains unknown, leaving both authorities and locals searching for answers.
Those affected were treated by medical teams at local hospitals and a mobile “hospital on wheels” stationed in the village to manage the emergency.
The outbreak began after a wedding feast on Sunday evening, where a large number of guests began experiencing severe gastrointestinal issues, including continuous vomiting and abdominal discomfort.
Dr. Umer Sheikh, Deputy District Health Officer (DDHO) of Gujar Khan, reported from the Basic Health Unit (BHU) in Dhoong on Wednesday that over 1,500 individuals had shown symptoms of food poisoning. Medical teams promptly responded, and of those affected, 1,470 have since been discharged. Thirty patients remain under treatment at the BHU Dhoong and the Daultala health facility. One critically ill patient was transferred to a hospital in Rawalpindi.
Dr. Sheikh further noted that seven patients who were earlier shifted to hospitals in Rawalpindi have now fully recovered and been discharged. The majority of patients exhibited symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, high fever, severe abdominal pain, shivering, and in some cases, significant weakness in the lower body.
Dr. Arbab Niazi, CEO of the District Health Authority Rawalpindi, said additional medical officers and support staff were deployed to the BHU Dhoong and the Daultala health center to manage the situation. Nearby health facilities in Gujar Khan, Qazian, Guliana, and Mandra were also placed on high alert.
Dr. Niazi added that he visited the affected areas multiple times to ensure round-the-clock availability of medical supplies and personnel.
Members of the host family, Raja Shakeel Chohan and Saleem Chohan, told Dawn that they had arranged for the slaughter of cattle themselves and oversaw the beef preparation before handing it over to a local cook. The cook is currently in police custody following the registration of an FIR at the Jatli police station.
They explained that the large number of attendees was due to a joint wedding celebration for two cousins, Amir Chohan and Saqib Chohan. Amir and 25 of his close relatives, who had traveled from Committee Chowk in Rawalpindi, were also among those affected.
Meanwhile, residents criticized the Punjab Food Authority for its lack of presence and action, not only during this event but also at a separate wedding in nearby Tarrati village.