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Accidental Outbreak of Non-Bacterial Food Poisoning
A S Kushwaha1, S K Aggarwal2, L R Sharma3
1Reader (Department of Community Medicine), AFMC, Pune.
Medical Journal, Armed Forces India
|October 1, 2016
Summary
Soldiers in high-altitude garrisons experienced atropine poisoning from consuming Atropa acuminata leaves. This outbreak highlights the dangers of using unknown local plants for food due to erratic rations.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Epidemiology
- Botany
Background:
- Military troops in isolated areas face unpredictable food supplies.
- This can lead to the consumption of unknown local plants, resulting in accidental food poisoning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an outbreak of food poisoning among soldiers.
- To identify the causative agent and contributing factors.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, analytical, and epidemiological study was conducted.
- Epidemiological case sheets were used to calculate food-specific attack rates.
- Toxicological analysis identified the poisonous plant and its alkaloids.
Main Results:
- 29 out of 39 soldiers fell ill, with an attack rate of 74.35%.
- Symptoms were consistent with atropine poisoning, requiring hospitalization for 21 soldiers.
- Toxicological analysis confirmed the presence of atropine alkaloids in the consumed plant, identified as Atropa acuminata.
Conclusions:
- The outbreak was conclusively linked to the accidental ingestion of Atropa acuminata leaves.
- This incident underscores the risks associated with consuming unidentified local flora in remote military settings.
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