5 Die From Contaminated Food at Funeral Feast in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur District

The victims include a two-month-old infant among the five deceased.

Narayanpur:

Five individuals, including a two-month-old baby, died within one week after allegedly consuming contaminated food at a post-funeral gathering in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district, as confirmed by officials on Friday.

The tragic incident took place in Dunga village within the Orchha development block, according to an official report.

The deceased have been identified as Budhari (25), Budharam (24), Lakkhe (45), Urmila (25), and a two-month-old infant. Health authorities have linked all deaths to the contaminated food consumed at the funeral feast.

Narayanpur Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) T R Kunwar stated that they received reports about deaths related to contaminated food consumption in the village on October 21.

Following instructions from collector Pratishtha Mamgai, a medical team comprising CMHOs from Narayanpur and Bijapur districts, along with the Block Medical Officer from Orchha, visited the affected village to provide treatment to those impacted.

Kunwar revealed that discussions with villagers indicated all five deaths occurred between October 14 and October 20 after the victims attended a post-funeral feast on October 14. The deceased had suffered from vomiting and diarrhea before their deaths.

"A health camp was organized in the village on October 21, where 25 villagers underwent examination and testing. Among them, two were diagnosed with malaria, 20 with vomiting and diarrhea, and three with other ailments. Immediate treatment was provided to all affected individuals," the official explained.

Additionally, a 60-year-old woman was admitted to the Bhairamgarh community health center for treatment.

Kunwar mentioned that the health team has remained in the village to provide ongoing treatment to residents, while advising them to consume only fresh food and boiled water to prevent further illness.