Kohima: Twenty-eight people fell ill after a birthday party in Wokha on August 3. Victims started showing symptoms seven hours after eating at the 9 am event. By 9:50 pm that night, the first patients hit the Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital.
Patients reported vomiting, fever, nausea, loose stools, and abdominal pain. Doctors also noted hypotension and headaches. The hospital admitted 19 people, while two others received outpatient care. By August 7, 17 patients were discharged and two remained under observation.
Private clinics also handled the overflow. Five people went to Panacea Nursing Home and two were treated at Mhondamo Memorial Hospital. All seven individuals in private care have since been released. No deaths occurred, and no patients required transfers to other facilities.
The group consumed meat, dal, chickpeas, pickle, and papad. Health officials flagged the water source and those same food items as potential culprits. According to the hospital, "the symptoms appeared consistent with food poisoning."
State authorities are not taking chances. The Directorate of Health and Family Welfare collected food samples for laboratory testing. They also took a specific pickle sample for analysis. Local officials reported the outbreak to the Chief Medical Officer while awaiting results to confirm the source.
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