18 children fall ill after consuming ice cream in Cuttack

At least 18 children fell ill after consuming ice cream during a religious event- 'Ashta Prahari' at Kumusar village under Banki block in Cuttack district on Monday.

According to sources, the incident occurred when children attending the 'Ashta Prahari' consumed ice cream purchased from a local ice cream vendor. Soon after eating the ice cream, several children complained severe infection in their mouths, following which panic spread among the villagers.

As the condition of the children deteriorated, they were rushed to the Banki Hospital for treatment. All the affected children are currently undergoing medical care.

Doctors are monitoring their health condition. According to Dr Padmolochan Panda, who is treating the affected students, the infection may have occurred due to contaminated water used in the preparation of the ice cream. 

The affected children are facing difficulty consuming food. According to doctors, it will take a minimum of five to six days for them to fully recover.

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Following the development, local residents detained the ice cream vendor and handed him over to Banki police. An investigation into the incident is currently underway and the ice cream vendor is being questioned as part of the investigation.

Question mark has been raised over several illegal ice-cream factories in the area. Further investigation is likely to be conducted to ascertain the quality and safety of the ice creams prepared in the local factories.