In a shocking incident on Monday, three members of a family here died and the conditions of three others of the family were serious due to suspected food poisoning.
The victims of Pandara Street of the Old Brahmapur area under the Sadar police station suffered from food poisoning on Sunday and were admitted into the local MKCG Medical College Hospital. Three of them lost their lives on Monday morning.
The six victims, Bhubani Padhi (60), Pasanta Padhi (34), Pramod Padhi (29), Prasanna Padhi (26), Pankaj Padhi (22) and Banita Padhi (20) fell ill immediately after taking food at home. Prasanna, Pramod and Pankaj died in the hospital.
According to the latest medical reports, the conditions of two were critical while that of the lone female member Banita was out of danger. Dr Diptimayee Tripathy of the hospital said the family history suggests that food poisoning was the reason for their illness. “Investigations have been sent and we are waiting for the examination report,” she added.
“We do not know many things; how could all the members of a single family could suffer from food poisoningIJ We suspect respiratory failure of the oldest patient.
How could the blood sugar (glucose) level remain at 17 of the person which cannot be explained by food poisoning!” she wondered. The old patient was suffering from diabetics.
She further suspected that the patients might have taken anti-diarrhoea or diabetics drugs accidentally at home without knowing their use. While briefing the media, the Brahmapur Sub-Collector said free medicine has been arranged for the remaining patients and all expenses for their treatment would be provided.
There are fluctuations in their health conditions. The levels of diabetics and blood pressure remained high, which is the cause of worry. A large number of volunteers, social workers and youth leaders were present at the hospital.