Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: Sixty villagers from Lasang, near Mahur in Assam's Dima Hasao district, are undergoing treatment after falling ill. They attended a funeral on Saturday where they ate pork. By Sunday, the group began suffering from nausea, fever, headaches, and diarrhoea.
Patients filled the Mahur Primary Health Centre, nearby clinics, and the Haflong Civil Hospital. On Tuesday, 15 more villagers showed up at Haflong Civil Hospital after their health failed to improve. Two elderly patients currently sit in the ICU. Doctors report that they are stable.
Contaminated drinking water remains a suspect. Heavy rain battered the region on the day of the funeral. Yet, some who ate the pork avoided sickness. S. Nampui treated several patients. "All the patients are presenting with similar complications. We are monitoring them closely," she said.
This outbreak sparked demands for tougher safety standards. Locals want mandatory testing and government certification for all livestock before it hits the table. Authorities are keeping a close watch on the recovery of those still in care.
Updated at 12th August 2026 at 10:01pm
The number of residents hospitalized following the Saturday, August 8, gathering has risen to 65. By Tuesday, 21 villagers required care at Haflong Civil Hospital after their symptoms persisted.
Dr. L. Vaipe, the District Surveillance Officer and SDMO, stated that while symptoms point to food poisoning, the exact cause remains unconfirmed pending further investigation. Health officials and local administrative teams are now launching a formal probe, though lab results are currently pending.
Comments