Kanpur, May 16 -- At least 53 people, mostly women and children, fell ill reportedly after partaking of prasad (consecrated food) at a religious gathering at Shimaupur village in Kannauj's Thatiya area on Friday evening. Food was distributed at the conclusion of a katha at an individual's home. Symptoms appeared quickly, with vomiting beginning almost immediately. Among others, those who fell included five members each from the families of Balkram and Sunil Rathore, along with four from Ajay Batham's household, three from Ashok Rathore's family, and eight relatives of the host family. Nine children are among the 11 patients referred to the medical college while the remaining have been admitted to the district hospital. Private doctors in Thatiya initially declined to treat the more serious cases, forcing families to call government ambulances. Senior officials, including chief medical officer Swadesh Gupta, ADM Devendra Kumar Singh, and additional superintendent of police Ajay Kumar Singh, reached the site. Early reports had put the number affected at 20. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause. District magistrate Ashutosh Mohan Agnihotri said the best treatment was being provided to those who fell ill and the entire matter was being looked into....