Berhampur: Two of the six tribal women from Kandhamal district, who were undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital here after suffering from food poisoning due to alleged consumption of a gruel prepared with mango kernel powder, were shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on Saturday night after their condition worsened.
The condition of four others undergoing treatment at MKCG is said to be stable.
At least two women died and six others fell ill after allegedly consuming the gruel at Mandipanaka, a remote tribal village in Gadapur panchayat under Daringbadi block on Friday. Those who were unwell were admitted to MKCG the same day. Two of them were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) as their condition was critical.
“Two women were shifted to Cuttack for better treatment,” said Dr Jayant Panda, professor of medicine at SCB. “The two have been suffering from ailments like jaundice and high fever as well,” he said.
Director of health services, Bijay Mahapatra, said preliminary findings revealed the incident was caused by food poisoning and ruled out mango kernel had played a role in the deaths.
Santosh Kumar Padhy, chief district medical officer (CDMO), Kandhamal, said they collected samples of the mango kernel powder, which they ate, and the water from the village. “The samples were sent to the forensic laboratory in Bhubaneswar for testing,” he said. The CDMO said they have already submitted a preliminary report to the govt on Saturday.
Meanwhile, a medical team visited Mandipanaka village on Saturday. The team told villagers not to consume unhygienic food. They also urged villagers to maintain personal hygiene and drink boiled water.