The main cause of the mysterious illness that claimed four lives last week was due to consumption of locally brewed alcohol Bangchhang, particularly made from corn. The Royal Centre for Disease Control released the findings today.
Six individuals from Salambi village under Tsangkha Gewog in Dagana were admitted to the Damphu hospital exhibiting similar symptoms of acute gastrointestinal, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal cramp and dyspnea from August 26 to 28. All the patients were related to each other out of which four succumbed to the illness.
According to the report, Epidemiological, Microbiological, Serological and Toxicological analysis was performed from the samples of the affected individuals and Bangchang samples. The main source of exposure is believed to be from consumption of the locally brewed corn alcohol. To support the findings, the report also states that “consumptions of corn fermentation product have been reported from Indonesia, China and recently from Mozambique leading to a case fatality rate of 40 %.”
There was no history of consumption of wild mushroom or any other suspected toxicants.
The report also states that the current un-usual death is presumed to be from Bongkrekic acid poisoning that is usually occurred through incomplete corn fermentation. Therefore, people are urged to refrain from taking locally brewed Bangchang from corn ferment. People are further asked to incinerate and discard all the current corn fermented produce to avoid such fatal public health incidents.
Meanwhile, the two men aged 72 and 27 who were referred to the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital from Damphu hospital on 29th of last month is reported to be currently in stable condition.
Kinley Dem
