Family of four hospitalized after consuming curry made with toxic Datura leaves

Four members of a family in Kakinada district were admitted to hospital after consuming curry prepared with Datura leaves, which the cook had believed offered health benefits based on information she found online.

The incident occurred on Monday in Yerrampalem village of Gandepalli mandal when Bikkina Veerabbu, a Hyderabad-based software engineer, visited his in-laws' home to attend a local deity's festival. His mother-in-law, Ms. Veeralakshmi, served lunch that included a curry mixed with Datura leaves, which she had prepared after sourcing details online reportedly suggesting the dish had health benefits.

Four hospitalised after falling unconscious

Veerabbu, his wife Ganga Bhavani, his mother-in-law Veeralakshmi, and their relative Ms. Jayalakshmi all fell unconscious after eating the curry on Monday. They were subsequently admitted to the Government General Hospital in Kakinada city on Tuesday.

Kakinada District Medical and Health Officer J. Narasimha Naik confirmed that the family consumed the curry after sourcing details online. "The family members consumed the curry mixed with Datura leaves after sourcing the details online. Their health condition on Tuesday is said to be out of danger," Dr. Naik told The Hindu.

The case highlights the dangers of preparing food based on unverified online information, particularly involving toxic plants like Datura, which contains alkaloids that can cause severe poisoning despite any purported medicinal properties circulating on the internet.

Source: The Hindu