At least 300 residents across multiple communities in Ajalpan, located in the Sierra Negra region of Puebla, suffered food poisoning after consuming carnitas at an event held during the patron saint festival of the Pizcuautla auxiliary council.
The gathering, which took place on Sunday, April 20, was organized by local mayordomos in honor of Easter Sunday. Following a mass, a communal meal was offered to express gratitude and share with attendees, adhering to regional customs.
Shortly after the meal, residents from at least 24 communities reported symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, and general malaise. The incidents of food poisoning were reported between Sunday night and Monday morning, triggering an immediate response from local healthcare services.
The affected communities are La Escondida, Tepepa, Buena Vista, Rancho Nuevo, Xonacatec, Duraznotla, La Ciénega, San José Los Pinos, Puerto de Ángel, and Ahuatepec, among others.
Local Authorities Respond to Health Emergency
Municipal authorities confirmed the deployment of medical teams to affected communities to provide initial diagnoses and treatment. Mayor Faustino Soriano Centeno acknowledged the situation and assured that support was being extended to the affected individuals, which included elderly residents and children.
As of now, the Ministry of Health has not released an official report on the source of the contamination. However, preliminary suspicions indicate that the carnitas served at the event may have been responsible.
The incident has prompted heightened awareness and a call for vigilance in food preparation practices at communal events to prevent future occurrences. Health authorities continue to investigate the case to determine the exact cause and scope of the outbreak.
Source: Diario de Yucatan
