Man dies from poisoning

GANGTOK, 23 May: A 42-year-old man has died from poisoning in West Sikkim. The man was brought to Yuksom PHC with symptoms of poisoning and died during treatment. The dead body was handed over to the family members after inquest and post mortem. No foul play has been detected so far. The case is under investigation. 

9 of a family hospitalised after consuming Bhotay Saag

food poiMANGAN, 25 Apr: Nine persons from the same family have been hospitalized after consuming “Bhotay saag” on 24 April. They were brought to the District Hospital Mangan at around 11 pm.
The family belongs to Namprik village of Tingvong, Dzongu, North Sikkim.
Out of the 9 people, 5 are reported to be in critical condition. Dawa Lepcha [28], Phu Dorjee Lepcha [28], Meena Subba [27], Pem Rikzing Lepcha [28] and Pemba Lepcha [70] have been referred to STNM, Gangtok.
Four minors, Tsheringmit Lepcha [9], Mila Lepcha [8], Saknan Lepcha [9] and Damchun Lepcha [8] are still at the Mangan District Hospital. They are undergoing treatment and their conditions are normal at present, informed hospital authorities.

Food poisoning claims one

GANGTOK, 06 March: One death due to suspected food poisoning has been reported from Nayabazaar. The victim, Khagain Biswakarma, a 35 year old woman, who was reportedly suffering from epilepsy, had been admitted to the Namchi district hospital on 3 March after having consumed jungle tarul. She succumbed on 5 March.

Bacterial contamination projected as cause behind Lingdok food poisoning incident

5-MEMBER HEALTH DEPARTMENT ENQUIRY COMMITTEE SUBMITS REPORT
GANGTOK, 10 Jan: Preliminary enquiries and examination of samples collected to get to the bottom of the Lingdok food poisoning incident [which claimed one life and landed 82 in hospital], suggests that bacterial contamination of the food items was the main culprit.
This is the finding of the committee instituted to investigate the cause of the food poisoning incident. However, as Secretary, Health Department, Dr. K Bhandari, underlines, the final report and confirmation is yet to arrive and will be made known once the forensic results of the viscera of the deceased come in. The bacterial infection theory, the Secretary reiterates, is not confirmed yet and even the strain of bacteria believed to have contaminated the food not yet identified.
The report of the 5-member committee constituted by the Health Department to look into all aspects of the food poisoning incident, including the epidemiological aspect, was submitted today to the Secretary and has been forwarded to the government.
The assessment of the committee is that the “most likely” cause, after taking into consideration all factors and circumstances, is bacterial contamination of the food items. This seems the most possible and plausible cause as the enquiring team which went about examining food items, utensils used for cooking, the surroundings, including the cooking conditions, found that there were lots of pigeon and chicken droppings in close vicinity of the house in which the victims consumed their food.
It was further found that the house in which others, including the purohits had eaten was clean and without such contamination, and as such none of the purohits and others who had consumed food here had fallen sick.
The Committee had Dr. V Singhi [Director II] as the chairman, while the other four members are Dr. IL Sharma [senior Additional Director], Dr. Yeli Doma [Joint Director], BB Rai [Food Inspector] and Pema Uden [Chief Consultant Micro-Biologist].
Given this scenario and after the examinations it was very likely that the food had become contaminated with bacteria. On the other hand, and to lend support to this conclusion of bacterial contamination, the STNM Hospital which had conducted tests on the food samples and water source came up with negative results on all the tests conducted.
The viscera of the deceased, Shanti Rai, has been sent for forensic examination to Guwahati and now only the result will prove conclusive on the cause of the incident.
The Medical Superintendent, STNM Hospital, Dr. Uma Pradhan also informed that the last of the victims of the food poisoning incident was discharged today from the hospital. A total of 82 persons had been admitted to the hospital after having consumed food at a ceremony (kriya) being observed at Lingdok on 01 January. The only person to succumb to the food poisoning was Shanti Rai, 43, of Lingdok a day after being admitted at the STNM hospital.

Health Dept institutes 5-member committee to look into Lingdok food poisoning incident

GANGTOK, 06 Jan: A five-member committee has been constituted by the Health Care, Health Services & Family Welfare Department to look into all aspects of the food poisoning incident including the epidemiological aspect that brought down 82 people of Lingdok busty with suspected food poisoning on 01 January, informed Secretary, HC, HS&FW Department, Dr. K Bhandari while addressing a press conference today.
The Committee has Dr. V Singhi [Director II] as the chairman, while the other four members are Dr. IL Sharma [senior Additional Director], Dr. Yeli Doma [Joint Director], BB Rai [Food Inspector] and Pema Uden [Chief Consultant Micro-Biologist].

Lingdok food poisoning brings 21 more to hospital

MULTI-DISCIPLINARY DETAILED INVESTIGATION BEGINS TO IDENTIFY CAUSE
AMEET OBEROI
GANGTOK, 05 Jan: Twenty-one more patients arrived at the STNM Hospital here today with suspected food poisoning, raising the total number of patients with such complaints from Lingdok village to 81. The mass food-poisoning, suspected to have spread at an Antheysti Kriya at a house there on 01 January has claimed one life – that of 43-year-old Shanti Rai who passed away yesterday.

STNM Hospital recommends enquiry into Lingdok food poisoning incident

ONE SUCCUMBS TO FOOD POISONING AT STNM HOSPITAL
GANGTOK, 04 Jan: One person succumbed to food poisoning at the STNM Hospital today. 43-year-old Shanti Rai of Lingdok passed away at around 5 p.m., falling victim to suspected food poisoning. She was the only patient among the 60 rushed to the hospital for treatment yesterday.
Already in a critical condition when she was brought in, she has become the first casualty of the mass food poisoning which inflicted Lingdok village near here on 01 January. The deceased incidentally hails from the family which hosted the Antheyesti Kriya ceremony on the day and where the people are believed to have contracted food poisoning.