• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Issues that matter
    • COVID-19 in India
    • Inadequate safe drinking water
    • Poor sanitation
    • Environmental health
    • Infectious disease
      • Hepatitis C
    • Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)
    • Malnutrition
    • High infant mortality
    • Mental health
    • Sex and gender discrimination
  • Special Focus
    • Interviews
      • Exclusive Interviews
      • Readers Interviews
    • Vaccine Hesitancy
  • News
  • PandemiCast
  • Partner’s Press Office

Health Issues India

Health issues in India

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Editorial Team
  • Subscribe
  • Contribute
  • Sponsor
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Diet & Nutrition / Food poisoning in Karnataka highlights a national problem

Food poisoning in Karnataka highlights a national problem

December 17, 2018 By Kerean Watts Leave a Comment

Food poisoning. Credit: 123rf
Improperly prepared food has been at the root of multiple outbreaks of food poisoning since 2008 – like the kind seen in Karnataka.

An incident at a temple in Karnataka has spotlighted one of India’s major public health issues when it comes to infectious disease: food poisoning.

More than 130 worshippers at a temple in the Chamarajanagar district became sick after eating food offered during the service. Eleven people died and eight are in critical condition at the time of writing. Police are investigating the incident.

Early speculation by the media has blamed pesticides. However, police are awaiting the results of laboratory testing of both the organs of the deceased and the poisoned food in question. Conclusions will be drawn after the test results, says Geetha MS, a senior officer in the district.

“Food poisoning incidents of the kind witnessed in Karnataka have been steadily rising in the past decade. 2008 saw just fifty food poisoning outbreak rates. This means that, between 2008 and 2017, food poisoning outbreaks increased fivefold.”

The incident is not an isolated tragedy. Food poisoning is the second most common cause of infectious disease outbreaks in India. Of 1,649 outbreaks last year (as reported until December 3rd), food poisoning accounted for 242 of them.

Food poisoning incidents of the kind witnessed in Karnataka have been steadily rising in the past decade. 2008 saw just fifty food poisoning outbreak rates. This means that, between 2008 and 2017, food poisoning outbreaks increased fivefold.

Food poisoning outbreaks carry a comparatively low risk of fatality when compared to other infectious disease outbreaks. However, as the Karnataka incident shows, deaths do occur.

“Schoolchildren have fallen victim to food poisoning at alarming rates this year”

Perhaps the most notable instance of this occurring was observed in 2013 in Bihar. There, 23 schoolchildren died after consuming a free lunch that was contaminated by high levels of pesticides. 47 children were taken ill.

 Schoolchildren have fallen victim to food poisoning at alarming rates this year. In a Mumbai private school in August, sixteen students and a teacher were admitted to hospital. Earlier that month, one girl lost her life in an incident affecting more than 400 children.

Lapses in sanitation are often to blame for such outbreaks. This can mean that food is prepared in unhygienic conditions or contaminated ingredients are used. Vigilance is essential to make sure that preventable outbreaks do not occur. This is important whether in the temple or the schoolroom. Otherwise such outbreaks will only continue to increase in number – and more will continue to lose their lives.

Filed Under: Diet & Nutrition, Featured Stories, National, News, Sanitation, Social issues Tagged With: food poisoning, infectious diseases, Karnataka, news, outbreaks, sanitation, schools

About Kerean Watts

Kerean Watts has been a featured writer for Health Issues since 2016. His areas of study include politics, international relations and global development. He is based in South Wales.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Articles

  • Renewed fears of a bird flu pandemic; The latest health stories from around the world
  • More oversight needed for “gain of function” research says expert panel; The latest health stories from around the world
  • Marion Biotech to be investigated by Indian drug regulator
  • Sesame to be added to list of major food allergens
  • Approval of Alzheimer’s drug “rife with irregularities”

Footer

Archives

Issues that matter

  • Environmental health
  • Inadequate safe drinking water
  • Poor sanitation
  • Infectious disease
  • Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)
  • Malnutrition
  • High infant mortality

Categories

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie settingsACCEPTACCEPT ALL
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.