A 72-year-old man died of suspected food poisoning after suffering from acute dysentery and vomiting at Radha Kund here, close on the heels of an outbreak of food-poisoning in the town.
However, Chief Medical Officer Vivek Mishra said Madhu Sudan Shan, who died last evening at a 'dharamshala' here, was suffering from chronic obstructive lung disease.
"His death coincides with the food poisoning of more than 550 pilgrims who had consumed adulterated milk and milk products from community kitchens during 'Annakoot' on Tuesday night," he said, adding one Krishna Das (80) had died earlier.
The victim, a resident of Gosai Ghat in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district, had come with his wife to Radha Kund to observe 'Kalpvas' and was staying at the Manoranjan Banik Dharamshala.
Manager at Manoranjan Banik Dharamshala, Subaro Mupunda claimed, "He was suffering from acute dysentery and continuous vomiting. He had consumed biscuit and other food items."
He had come here with his wife two days before Diwali, the manager said.
Following the death a medical camp was set up at the 'dharamshala' where presently around 300 pilgrims are putting up.
"The team at the 'dharamshala' is yet to check all the pilgrims for food related ailments. However, as a precautionary chlorination of drinking water was done," the CMO said.
Mishra said that people have been advised to consult doctors at medical camps set up across the town.
The CMO attributed the outbreak to adulterated milk and contaminated water. Medicines have been distributed in almost all 'dharmshalas' here.
Mishra claimed the situation was under control. The number of patients at the Goverdhan Community Health Centre has come down from 28 to six.
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