Probe ordered as food poisoning toll reaches 8

NONGPOH/ SHILLONG: The death toll in food poisoning in Ri Bhoi has risen to eight with all the victims confirmed to be children.
A 12-year-old, Jeffrey Nongrum, from Nongkya was declared brought dead by doctors at Shillong civil hospital.
Another 12-year-boy, Evanson Lymphiud, has been admitted in ICU at Shillong civil hospital where 26 men and 15 women are being treated.
On Tuesday, eight-year-old Bamyniatoi Rympeit died at Bethany Hospital in Nongpoh and a seven-year-old boy, Welborn Nongkseh, at Umsning CHC on Monday.
D.J Goswami, a medical specialist, told reporters, “Their (the villagers’) condition is stable and treatment is satisfactory.”
Goswami said most of them have dysentery and were vomiting. “It appears to be food poisoning.”
Earlier, he said though some patients are not sure what caused the illness, most of them are blaming the pork that they ate at the Sunday service at Nongkya village.
The district administration said one more death was reported but it could not be confirmed. A magisterial inquiry to be headed by the Ri Bhoi ADM has been ordered. Besides, police have initiated a separate probe.
Ri Bhoi District Medical and Health Officer Bareh P. Lamin said till Tuesday, more than 212 infected persons were examined and 136 were admitted in different hospitals in Nongpoh and Shillong.  He said the names of all the deceased persons could not be ascertained as they were admitted in different hospitals.
Health Minister Roshan Warjri, DC C.P Gotmare, and the SP, R.P Singh, visited the bereaved families and the victims admitted in Nongpoh civil hospital, Bethany Hospital (Nongpoh), Umsning CHC and Bhoirymbong CHC.
The health office and the administration are providing assistance in all forms and a medical team has been stationed in the village.
When contacted, headman of Nongkya village Lumlang Barim said the cause of the tragedy is yet to be ascertained but it was suspected that the pork, which was slaughtered on Friday, caused poisoning.
“We are still waiting for the investigation report conducted by the Health Department,” he added.
The DC said that the samples of pork meat will be sent to FSL for testing.