KUNMING - Twenty-four people were still in hospital three days after they were sickened by suspected food poisoning in southwest China's Yunnan Province, a local health official said Monday.

The incident occurred in Jinji Village, Longyang District, in the city of Baoshan on Friday after more than 240 people attended a banquet held by a villager to celebrate his child's birthday, said Su Shaode, deputy director of the district's health bureau.

A total of 115 people subsequently showed symptoms of fever, diarrhea and aching and were later admitted to local hospitals, Su said, adding that no deaths were reported.

The incident is under investigation, though an initial probe has suggested that mushrooms served at the banquet might be blamed for the poisoning.