Allergy after eating 'Atanaj'; Many rushed to Civil hospital, one critical, referred to SMCH

Several people have fallen ill in Karimganj yesterday due to food poisoning. They fell ill after consuming mixed vegetable food as a part of the rituals and many of them are still undergoing treatment in Karimganj Civil Hospital. Dr. Anup Kumar Daitary, Joint Director – Health of Karimganj confirmed the incident of hospitalisation of several patients due to food poisoning.

‘‘They are being admitted to the hospital and after primary diagnosis, they are undergoing treatments,’’ said Dr. Daitari. There is a ritual of eating a dish prepared by mixing eight vegetables – ‘Atanaj’. Many residents of the Karimganj area bought a packet of mixed vegetables from a store in PWD Bazar area. Most of them fell sick after consuming the taro root (Kachu Stem).

Chandan Biswas of Karimganj said the moment he took a bite, his throat started burning and swelling. He was unable to speak and that is when he was rushed to the hospital. There he was treated with anti-allergen injections and now he is under medication at home. He says, he is still unable to talk properly.

One such patient brought to Karimganj Civil Hospital was bleeding from his mouth. The treating doctor deemed his condition to be critical and referred him to Silchar Medical College and Hospital.

Around 10 patients were admitted to Karimganj Civil Hospital and about four of them have been discharged after their conditions improved. The doctors confirmed that this has happened due to some sort of food poisoning. Most of the patients have developed infections in the throat and are unable to talk or swallow.