Nandigama municipality imposes 10-day ban on non-veg food sales over diarrhoea outbreak

Vijayawada: The Nandigama Municipality has imposed a complete ban on sale of non-vegetarian food for 10 days, from March 30 to April 8, due to the rising number of diarrhoea cases in Chandapuram village of Nandigama.Nandingama Municipal commissioner has issued orders in this regard, directing the meat shop sellers to refrain from selling chicken, mutton, fish and other non-vegetarian items, besides ordering the restaurants, hotels and chicken pakodi stalls to stop selling non-veg food.The municipal commissioner has warned that criminal cases will be booked under Section 278 of AP Municipal Act-1965 against hotel and restaurant operators who sell non-veg food items in violation of the orders in the region.Around 65 people from Chandapuram village have been affected with symptoms of diarrhoea after the victims consumed food served at a pandal organised on the occasion of Sri Rama Navami festival in the village."The diarrhoea cases first emerged on March 28 in the Chadapuram locality. When enquired with, the victims told us that they consumed food and tiffin offered as part of the Anna Prasadam served for Sri Rama Navami festival in the village," NTR DMHO Dr M Suhasini said.According to the DMHO, of the total 65 affected with diarrhoea symptoms, only 25 people required hospitalisation, while the remaining were treated and recovered on an outpatient basis at the Nandigama area hospital.The DMHO further confirmed that currently there are three active cases on the bed who are undergoing treatment at the area hospital and that they will also be discharged by Wednesday. The DMHO further said that food poisoning is being suspected behind the diarrhoea outbreak and the exact cause will be ascertained after the test results are out.