Abstract

In recent years, frequent outbreaks of food poisoning and mushroom poisoning cases occurred in different areas in Assam. A study was carried out in Lakhimpur district of Assam for a period of 4 years (2012-2015). The aims of the study was to find out the actual numbers of people suffered from food borne illness due to the consumption of poisonous food and wild mushroom. During 2012-2015, 9 outbreaks of food poisoning and 12 outbreaks of mushroom poisoning have occurred in Lakhimpur, Assam. A total of 170 food poisoning and 71 mushroom poisoning cases were reported from 2012-2015. During the four years, a total of 5 patients expired due to food borne illness (food poisoning-1, mushroom poisoning-4). Very poor living sanitary condition was found in those villages. Most of the outbreaks of food poisoning occurred during the time of religious function where people assembled together and thus more and more people were prone to getting the infection. Again, the mushroom poisoning cases were noticed during the month of April to June every year, as wild mushroom grew up during that season and people consumed it as a food. Strong awareness and surveillance system is required to reduced morbidity and mortality due to food borne illness.

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