Bihar government issues advisory against consuming fish washed in by Nepal floods

The Bihar government has issued an advisory urging caution against consuming fish that have been washed into the state from Nepal due to flooding. The Department of Dairy, Animal and Fisheries Resources warned that unfamiliar fish species found in several parts of Bihar could pose health risks. Officials stated that such fish could spread widely after being washed out of bodies of water like ponds, rivers, lakes and reservoirs, remaining in contact with contaminated environments like open drains, dead animals and decaying matter.

This increases the risk of contamination by bacteria, viruses and fungi. Consuming these fish is hazardous to health, officials emphasized, advising people to avoid eating fish caught from floodwaters until conditions return to normal. Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, dizziness, breathing difficulties or other unusual reactions after eating the fish have been reported, prompting people to seek immediate medical attention.

The department also asked residents to report sightings of strange fish to the local district fisheries officer or administration, urging the public to strictly avoid consuming unknown fish as a precautionary measure.