A birthday gathering in Wokha on August 3 has been followed by a suspected food-borne illness, with 28 people reportedly falling sick and seeking medical attention at different healthcare facilities in the town.

At Dr Motsuo Memorial District Hospital (DMMDH), 21 patients were brought in with complaints of loose watery stools, vomiting, nausea, fever, abdominal pain and headache. Nineteen required admission, while two were treated without being admitted.

The first cases were received at around 9:50 p.m. on August 3, nearly seven hours after the birthday party, which was held at around 9 a.m.

Of the 19 patients admitted at DMMDH, 17 have been discharged. Two remain hospitalised as of August 7 for continued treatment or observation. The hospital reported that none of the patients required referral to another facility and no death has been recorded.

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Patients reportedly consumed meat, dal, chickpea, pickle and papad during the gathering. DMMDH has listed the water source, meat, dal, pickle and chickpea among the possible sources pending confirmation through testing.

A pickle sample has been collected for laboratory testing. Food samples have also been collected by the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare (DHFW), Nagaland, while DMMDH has informed the Chief Medical Officer and DHFW about the cases.

Meanwhile, five persons who were admitted to Panacea Nursing Home have been discharged. Two others admitted to Mhondamo Memorial Hospital have also been discharged.

The health authorities are treating the matter as a suspected food-borne illness, with the source of the illness yet to be confirmed. Results from the samples collected are expected to provide further clarity.