Country Liquor & Stale Meat Suspected Cause Of 12 Villagers’ Death In Odisha’s Malkangiri

Malkangiri: A team of Health officials led by CDMO Sashi Bhusan Mahapatra visited a village in Odisha’s Malkangiri district where at least 12 people have reportedly died due to ‘unknown’ disease and took stock of the situation.

According to reports, the villagers are suspected to have died after consumption of stale meat of dead animals. Speaking to media persons, the wife of Aita Madakami of Haladikund village under Mathili block, who was the latest victim of ‘unknown’ disease, has admitted to consumption of stale meat.

She said most of the villagers, who have died recently, had consumed country liquor and the meat of cattle days after their death. Aita fell ill after the consumption of the meat which had turned toxic.

Instead of taking him to hospital, the family members consulted the local quack. Following this, he succumbed, said Aita’s wife. Some of those villagers also died while undergoing treatment in community health centre (CHC) at Mathili.

Meanwhile, the Health team interacted with the villagers and tried to convince them about the ill effects of consumption of stale meat. They also admitted 9 villagers having health complaints to the CHC.

The team has also collected the samples of food, water and liquor besides the blood of the villagers and sent those to laboratory for test.