Palanpur: 3 persons of a family died due to Epidemic Dropsy in Kundi village of Dhanera Taluka in Banaskantha. Other four infected family members were admitted to Ahmedabad Civil hospital on Wednesday. Epidemic dropsy results from use of edible oils adulterated with Argemone Mexicana oil which has a toxic substance called sanguinarine.

The first infected person of the family Chhaganbhai Purohit (Age 50 years), his son Navinbhai Purohit (Age 28 years) and daughter Akshaben Purohit (Age 23 years) who were infected later were admitted to a private hospital in Palanpur for treatment. 7 days ago the first infected patient died and later his son and daughter died on Wednesday and Thursday respectively during the treatment. Other four family members were admitted to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital after they showed symptoms.

The symptoms such as swelling in legs, fever and diarrhoea were visible in the family for 15 days. Around one and a half month ago seven people were infected with Epidemic Dropsy in Gundri village of Dantiwada taluka, out of which 2 had died and the rest five survived after treatment.

The oils are adulterated using argemone oil which contains toxic alkaloids sanguinarine and dihydrosanguinarine. Dropsy or oedema results in severe fluid retention in the body which causes diarrhoea and other complications.

DeshGujarat