Haflong: At least 60 people from Lasang village near Mahur in Assam’s Dima Hasao district were hospitalised following a suspected case of food poisoning. All of them are currently receiving treatment at various health centres.
According to sources, the villagers had consumed pork during a funeral programme held in the village on Saturday. By the next day, several of them developed symptoms including diarrhoea, nausea, fever and headache. They were admitted to Mahur PHC, nearby health centres and Haflong Civil Hospital.
The villagers suspect that the illness may also be linked to contaminated drinking water, as the area witnessed heavy rainfall on the day of the event. Some people who also consumed the pork, however, did not fall ill.
Around 15 more patients from the same village with similar symptoms were admitted to Haflong Civil Hospital on Tuesday after their condition did not improve.
Two elderly patients are currently under observation in the ICU, but doctors said they are stable.
S. Nampui, who attended to some of the patients, said the symptoms suggest a case of food poisoning. “All the patients are presenting with similar complications. We are monitoring them closely,” she said.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of livestock meant for consumption. Concerned people have suggested mandatory testing and certification by the competent authorities to prevent such cases in the future.