Basirhat jail diarrhoea cases have affected around 17-18 inmates at the sub-correctional home in North 24 Parganas, prompting a medical team to examine the prisoners and investigate the cause of the outbreak.
The inmates had reportedly been suffering from stomach-related illness for several days, with the number of affected prisoners increasing over time. The health department believes the jail has seen an outbreak of diarrhoea, although officials have not confirmed whether contaminated food caused the illness.
Anupam Bhattacharya, deputy chief medical officer of health for the Basirhat health district, visited the facility with a team of doctors after receiving information about the sick inmates. He said the prisoners had been examined, treated and given medicines.
“About 17-18 people had fallen ill. The doctors treated them and medicines were provided. However, their condition was not such that they needed to be admitted to hospital. They are fine now,” Bhattacharya said, according to Anandabazar.
He added that the inmates had experienced symptoms consistent with diarrhoea, but said the remaining details would be established through an investigation. The health official did not confirm that the illness was caused by food served at the facility.
The incident comes amid a statewide food safety campaign during which authorities have been conducting inspections at restaurants and food outlets. Those inspections have reportedly resulted in the seizure of rotten meat and stale food, while some establishments were closed after officials found unhygienic kitchens.
The Basirhat facility’s authorities have acknowledged the diarrhoea cases but rejected the allegation of food poisoning. The medical team’s assessment and the ongoing investigation are expected to determine the source of the illness and whether any food or sanitation-related lapse contributed to the outbreak.
