Food poisoning kills 9

By Our Reporter.

SHILLONG, MAY 30: As many as nine persons have died in Ri Bhoi District after consuming “spoiled” packed rice and pork even as the state health department has immediately sent for test, the food sample to a laboratory in Guwahati, officials today said.

Over 200 people from at least 10 villages were taken ill to different health centres and hospitals in Ri Bhoi District and the state’s capital, they said.

The victims had consumed packed rice and pork at a church service organized by the Church of God held at Nongkya village, about 5 kilometers away from Umsning in Ri Bhoi District.

Eight more people have died on Tuesday after one passed away yesterday at Umsning CHC, a health official said while informing that these include 4 in Ganesh Das Hospital, 1 in Shillong Civil Hospital, 1 in Bethany Hospital, Nongpoh, 2 in Nongkya village and 1 in Umsning CHC.

The victim who passed away in Umsning CHC on Monday have been identified as one Welborn Nongkseh (7).

Asked, the official said that the department today immediately sent the food sample to a laboratory in Guwahati for test.

As per preliminary inquiry, he said that the cooked rice and pork was packed in leaves and then covered with plastic bags since 5 am on Sunday and however was served till afternoon.

“Therefore, there is a strong possibility that both the rice and pork packed together got spoiled,” he added.

Of the 200, a total of 80 victims were admitted at Nongpoh Civil Hospital, 33 in Umsning CHC, 23 in Bhoilymbong and the rest in Shillong Civil Hospital, NEIGRIHMS and Ganesh Das Hospital.

Most of them hailed from Nongkya, Umsamlem, Mawknor, Khap, Iingsaw, Nongdewsaw, Umtasor, Mawlein-Mawkhain, Umnget and Bhoilymbong.