At least 32 people, including a 10- year-old boy, from the eastern part of Aizawl, have been admitted to hospitals, including a makeshift centre, due to food poisoning.

The people suffered from food poisoning after consuming fermented soybean, a health official said on Wednesday.

Of the 32 people, 3 have been admitted at a private hospital in Aizawl, one at a government hospital and the rest 28 are undergoing treatment in a makeshift centre at a Presbyterian church hall, the official said.

No fatality has been reported, he said.

C Lalzawmliana, a local leader of Chite Veng, where the incident took place, said many people have complained of stomach ache, diarrhoea and suffered from fever and vomiting after having fermented soybean as food on Monday evening.

Chite Veng falls under the jurisdiction of Aizawl East-II Assembly constituency.

At least 53 people have been affected by food poisoning due to consumption of fermented soybean sold by a woman in the neighbourhood, he said.

Of the 53 people, 3 have been admitted at nearby Greenwood hospital, Aizawl civil hospital and 28 people were admitted in a makeshift hospital arranged by the government at a Presbyterian church hall at Chite Veng on the behest of the local MLA and minister Robert Romawia Royte since Tuesday night, Lalzawmliana said.

He said the remaining 21 people are taking treatment from their homes.

The official said 4 nurses are currently camping at the makeshift centre on a rotational basis and the doctors use to visit and check the health conditions of the patients at regular intervals.

Meanwhile, state nodal officer of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), Dr.Pachuau Lalmalsawma said the cause of the food poisoning is yet to be ascertained.

He said samples of the fermented soybean have been sent to Aizawl civil hospital for examination.

According to him, most of the cases of food poisoning caused by fermented soybean in the state are due to unhygienic management during the processing of the soybean.

Royte said the government is making massive efforts to provide medical assistance to the patients.

Royte said he has asked the health department to arrange a makeshift centre at the locality to treat the patients as hospital facilities are limited amid the spread of COVID19.

“The health department sent doctors and arranged a makeshift centre at Chite Veng. I hired four nurses on my own expenses while the government arranged doctors from its side,” he said.

He said the medical expenses of the patients and nursing service will be borne by him.

Royte on Wednesday visited Chite Veng to take stock of the situation of the patients.