The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rajshahi Correspondent

Atleast 5 persons died and 100 others became ill , 56 of them were seriously after taking Patka fish popularly known as Tepa fish on Sunday at different villages of Singra upazilla under Natore district.Those who became seriously ill were admitted to Rajshahi medical college hospital on Sunday night. The hospital authority said that 56 seriously ill patients were admitted to RMCH last night and they were undergoing treatment with special care.

According to the ill fated patients and their relatives they were affected and became ill few hours after having their meal with Patka fish on Sunday.They said that the nearby villagers of Singra bazer purchased patka fish when they found that the fishes were selling at a cheaper prices.They also claimed that a huge amount of patka fish were bought to Singra bazar yesterday from Chittagong and local fish agent sold those terming these as a sea fish.Getting these fish at a lower prices the villagers purchased these with greater interest.

Fish specialists and specialists doctors of Rajshashi Medical College Hospital told this correspondent that these patka fish contains some neurotoxins known as Detrodotoxin which might cause immediate serious effect of human body and may cause death of the affected persons.

Those of the affected persons were died are Anguri Begum(40), Rana (22), (Arif), (Annanay Kumer) and and (Nargis).

RMCH director with his own initiative has started collecting the patients blood and urine for the confirmation of the toxicity of the disease.eom