A sudden outbreak of food poisoning has afflicted more than 30 Border Security Force (BSF) jawans at the 199-battalion BSF camp located in the Latiapura village Panchayat area. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening after the jawans had their dinner, leaving them with severe stomach aches and headaches the following morning.
Upon experiencing these symptoms, the affected jawans sought medical assistance and were promptly admitted to nearby hospitals. The majority of the affected personnel, specifically 16 jawans, were admitted to RGM Hospital in Kailashahar, while an additional five jawans received treatment at Unakoti District Hospital. The remaining jawans are presently receiving medical care within the camp after undergoing treatment at the hospitals.
Dr. Shankh Shubhra Debnath, the District Health and Family Welfare Officer, confirmed that all the jawans exhibited symptoms consistent with food poisoning. Promptly after receiving information about the incident, a team comprising the Food Safety Officer and other officials visited the BSF camp to investigate further. During their visit, the team collected samples of the food consumed by the jawans on Tuesday evening to ascertain the cause of the outbreak.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the food consumed by the jawans may have been contaminated, resulting in the widespread illness. To rule out other possibilities, all 30 affected jawans were tested for malaria and typhoid. Out of these tests, two jawans were found to be positive for typhoid, indicating a potential source of the illness.
Authorities are now working diligently to identify the exact cause of the food contamination, ensuring that such incidents do not recur in the future. The health and well-being of the affected jawans remain a top priority, and medical professionals are providing necessary treatments to aid their recovery. The Unakoti District Health and Family Welfare Officer has confirmed that the condition of all the jawans currently under medical care is stable.
The BSF camp houses over 100 jawans, who play a vital role in safeguarding the nation’s borders. Efforts are underway to ensure that the remaining personnel are not affected by this unfortunate incident. The investigation into the food poisoning outbreak continues, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
The authorities are urging all members of the camp to remain vigilant regarding their health and report any symptoms promptly. Additionally, they are taking necessary precautions to prevent similar incidents, implementing strict food safety protocols within the camp premises.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety and the need for regular monitoring and stringent measures to protect the well-being of our armed forces.
