MADINAH, 4 March 2003 — More than 500 Iranian pilgrims were taken ill after they ate spoiled food at six hotels in central Madinah. Dr. Abdulkader Al-Tayeb, director general of health affairs in Madinah, declared an emergency in all hospitals in the area, according to Al-Madinah daily.
Those with minor complaints were treated as outpatients and allowed to leave hospital, while others were admitted for the night. Dr. Abdulkader said that all patients were in a stable condition.
Police attributed the food poisoning to lapses in food storage.
