‘Don’t eat, buy or sell fish caught in Nepal floodwaters': Bihar warns citizens

Bihar authorities have issued a public advisory warning residents against buying, selling, or consuming unfamiliar or unusual fish found in floodwaters.

The Bihar government has issued an advisory urging people to avoid consuming unknown or unusual fish reportedly reaching parts of the state along with floodwaters from Nepal.

The authorities have advised residents to avoid fish caught from floodwater until conditions stabilise. (Representative Image (File Photo/PTI))

This advisory comes just days after Nepal was hit by devastating flash floods that have claimed over 1,000 lives and left a trail of destruction in towns and villages.

Deep Dive

What prompts the Bihar government to issue a fish consumption advisory after the Nepal floods?

How can residents in Bihar identify fish that should not be consumed after the floods?

Why are authorities concerned about health risks related to fish caught in floodwaters from Nepal?

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The advisory, issued by the dairy, fisheries and animal resources department of Bihar cited concerns that fish exposed to dirty drains, dead animals and other contaminants during floods may carry bacteria and viruses.

The authorities have advised residents to avoid fish caught from floodwater until conditions stabilise.

"Information has been received that unknown and unusual types of fish have reached some areas of Bihar along with flood water from Nepal. Information has also been received about some people falling ill after consuming such fish," the advisory read.

Appealing to the public, the advisory added:

• Do not consume fish that are unknown or appear unusual.
• Avoid buying or selling such fish caught from flood water in the market or using them for consumption purposes.
• Without identification and confirmation from the concerned department, do not consider any unfamiliar fish fit for consumption.
• If vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, or any other unusual symptoms appear after consuming such fish, immediately seek medical advice at the nearest health centre or hospital.
• If such fish are found, inform the concerned local officials.

"Do not pay attention to rumours and, keeping your safety in mind, completely avoid consuming unknown fish," it added.

Nepal flash floods

The flash floods were triggered by a collapse or avalanche of ice and rock near the Nepal-Tibet border.

The death toll from the flash floods in Nepal surged to 1,050 on Tuesday, news agency PTI reported, citing officials.

Meanwhile, nearly 4,000 individuals remain missing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) informed.

As chaos continued across the country, hospitals in Nepal are growing overwhelmed by an influx of unidentified bodies. Meanwhile, victim identification remains a major hurdle, with many recovered bodies severely decomposed or reduced to partial remains.

(with inputs from PTI)