Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, April 12: “Samples of the tender coconut water from Bonda factory have been sent to the laboratory and the report is awaited. Detailed investigations are being held in this connection,” said district health and family welfare officer Dr H R Thimmayya.

Addressing a news conference at the district health office on April 12, he said only those who had consumed the water from the factory had become sick. Four members of a family had taken sick. However, it is not possible to say that only tender coconut was responsible for it in the absence of the report. It is possible that it might have been caused due to the change of batch that day,” he said.

“We had visited the spot on April 10 immediately after receiving the information and had collected about 15 litres of water. The water has been sent to the lab in Bengaluru. The blood samples and stools have also been sent. Cholera among them has been ruled out,” he said.

There are 56 people from Mangaluru, 73 from Bantwal, 8 from Puttur and one person from Kadaba among the 138 people who were reported sick. As many as 23 were discharged on Friday. One patient is reportedly undergoing treatment at the Highland hospital ICU,” he said.

“Investigations are being held if chemicals, biochemistry and germs had caused the problem. There was vomiting and diarrhoea, stomach pain, fever reported among a few of them. The details are being gathered through Asha workers as well. The Bonda factory and other outlets connected to it have been asked to close down for the time being,” he said.

Medical officer Dr Sadashiva Shanbhog, Dr Navin Chandra Kulal, Food safety and quality inspection officer Pravin Kumar were present.