Health staff on alert after cases of kuttu flour poisoning

“In Punjab,58 cases were reported yesterday — 46 in Hoshiarpur and another 12 in Abohar and Fazilka. These persons have been discharged. Till now,we do not have any report of fresh cases. However,we have alerted all the civil surgeons and asked them to get samples of the atta for testing. The reports would be available only after three days,” said Dr JP Singh,director,health services Punjab.

In Haryana,20 cases have been reported from Yamunanagar,28 from Ambala,24 from Rohtak and another 25 from Hansi. All these persons reported to the local government hospitals while there is no count of people who would have been admitted to private hospitals.

“No fresh cases were reported in Haryana today. All food safety officers have been directed to seize samples of the atta for testing. Once the reports come in and in case there is contamination,appropriate action would be initiated against the flour mills,” said Rajan Gupta,principal secretary health,Haryana.

The commissioner,food and drug administration,Haryana,PK Das said that 32 samples of the atta have so far been taken from different places in the state and sampling and vigilance would continue till the Navratra fasts are over. The samples were being tested on urgent basis.

He said that food samples have been taken at various places,including Hisar,Rohtak,Ambala and Faridabad from where reports of sickness or contamination came in.