‘Starvation death’ of migrant worker in Chennai was actually food poisoning, says top doctor

“The patients were suffering from acute gastroenteritis aft consuming tainted food curry, not starvation,” Dr Rajan told The Indian Express.

“They experienced vomiting and diarrhea, which are communal symptoms of nutrient poisoning. Our diagnosis points to foodborne toxins arsenic the superior cause,” helium said.

According to Dr Rajan, a radical of 12 to 13 workers, including Khan, had traveled from West Bengal to Chennai seeking employment. They had been staying adjacent Chennai Central Railway Station level for 2 to 3 days erstwhile they consumed the contaminated nutrient they had cooked.

“Among those admitted, 1 diligent was successful captious condition, and different was successful atrocious shape. Four others were conscious but severely dehydrated. The critically sick diligent was placed connected a ventilator for 7 days. After showing immoderate improvement, we took him disconnected the ventilator, but helium developed complications again aft 2 days, yet starring to multi-organ failure,” Rajan said.

Before death, helium suffered from terrible kidney wounded and pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation successful the lungs), which contributed to his declining health. His encephalon was besides affected, and helium developed pneumonia. Ultimately, his information worsened, starring to multi-organ nonaccomplishment and death.

Upon aesculapian inquiry, Dr Rajan said, doctors came to cognize that they had cooked and consumed food curry portion staying adjacent the railway platforms.

“After admission, we conducted each indispensable tests, including for cholera, and ruled them each out. Based connected our diagnosis of acute nutrient poisoning, we sent tummy samples for chemic analysis, and we are presently awaiting the results. The origin of decease was related to diarrhea, arsenic helium was infected by a Staphylococcus strain (specifically, the RA strain). This bacteria produces toxins that tin participate the bloodstream and origin superior complications. Six hours aft consuming the contaminated food, the vomiting began. These toxins tin severely impact the body, peculiarly if the idiosyncratic is dehydrated and already weakened,” helium added.

The workers were admitted to the infirmary connected September 16. The pursuing day, Dr Rajan said, officials sent by the West Bengal government  provided fiscal assistance of Rs 25,000 to each of them. One labourer remained successful the hospital, whose information is stable.

As the hospital’s attraction summary explains that their information was superior due to the fact that of dehydration and bacterial corruption from contaminated food, Khan’s decease has sparked sizeable governmental controversy, with allegations of starvation circulating wide earlier being debunked by infirmary authorities.

In West Bengal, the decease of Khan has prompted crisp disapproval from Governor C V Ananda Bose, who condemned the authorities authorities for its perceived nonaccomplishment to support migrant workers. Bose, addressing the media connected Wednesday, accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of neglecting the payment of workers similar Khan, who permission the authorities successful hunt of amended opportunities.