SRINAGAR: Preliminary investigations into the recent food poisoning incident in Rajouri district, which left one person dead and seven others hospitalised, have pointed towards the suspected consumption of a toxic wild fern plant mistakenly collected as an edible vegetable, medical experts said.
The incident had occurred on May 15 in Modha Draj village of Koteranka subdivision in Rajouri district, where members of two families reportedly consumed a common meal during lunch before falling seriously ill.
According to doctors associated with the investigation, the affected persons developed acute gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, followed by neurological complications indicative of toxic exposure.
A preliminary assessment conducted by medical experts from Government Medical College (GMC), Rajouri, has raised suspicion that the victims may have accidentally consumed a poisonous fern species locally identified as Dryopteris filix-mas.
“The clinical presentation and epidemiological pattern raised suspicion of accidental ingestion of a toxic botanical agent. One major concern in such incidents is that edible fiddlehead fern species closely resemble certain toxic fern varieties, making misidentification during collection a significant possibility,” the preliminary report stated.
The incident had claimed the life of 60-year-old Mohammad Hussain, while seven others, including children, continue to remain under medical observation. Officials said the condition of the surviving patients is presently stable.
An epidemiological investigation has been initiated by the Department of Community Medicine, GMC Rajouri, in coordination with the Health Department, district administration and police authorities to ascertain the exact source and nature of exposure.
Principal GMC Rajouri Dr AS Bhatia and Head of the Department of Community Medicine Dr Syed Shuja Qadri visited the affected village to review the situation and oversee public health response measures.
Officials said blood, urine and other biological samples collected from the affected persons have been secured for detailed microbiological and toxicological examination. Samples from the deceased have also been sent to forensic laboratories in Jammu and Chandigarh to determine the precise cause of death and confirm the presence of toxic compounds.
Field teams are simultaneously carrying out environmental assessments in the locality to identify any remaining toxic plant material and prevent further exposure in the area.
