Shillong, Jan 4: More than 160 people have fallen ill after attending a ritual New Year community feast in a remote village in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district.

The incident took place at Iapmala village and the affected were sent to Khliehriat community health centre (CHC).

Local MLA and Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla while speaking to reporters on Tuesday said that at present the situation is stable and all the patients are currently under medical observation.

Almost the entire village is affected by the food poisoning, with the children and the aged being more affected. Some of the affected people have been  shifted to the nearby Health Center and some are being treated at home, informed the MLA.

“At present 11-12 patients are in the health centre but thankfully these patients will be discharged by tomorrow, (Wednesday)” said the MLA.

“Dr. Henry Lamare came to help on the spot with some nurses from Rymbai PHC. And then there’s a team also from Kyrmen Foundation who collaborated with the nurses and doctors in giving the necessary treatment,” said the Minister.

“…. hundred of people are affected and most are women, children and older people…young people are not much affected as their immune system is strong,” added Shylla.

“The symptom are fever, vomiting and diarrhea and then some other symptoms… the patients have been prescribed antibiotic and vitamins and some other medicines,” further informed Shylla.

He also shared that the food samples from the feast have been taken for investigation to find out the fact. “Food samples have been collected and they’re trying to find the fact of what is the reason as to why the people are suffering. So, as of now they said it’s a food poisoning. Hopefully, we’ll get the real facts about what is going on,” he said.

Lauding the local MDC, headmen and the locals for their swift action of taking the patients to the health centre on time to see that not a single life is lost, he said, “I really appreciate the hard work of those team especially the doctors, even from the Khliehriat CHC who have given their best service so that’s why we did lost a single life.”