Nepal floodwater fish warning: Why Bihar has advised people against eating them

After the Nepal flash floods, Bihar's Animal and Fisheries Resources Department cautioned against buying, selling, or consuming fish caught in floodwaters. Experts explained the risks associated with consuming such fish. When a flood occurs, river boundaries dissolve, allowing fish to mix with contaminated water containing sewage, animal waste, dead animals, and other pollutants.

This exposure to pollutants means the fish may carry microorganisms not typically found in their natural habitat. Dr Saiprasad Girish Lad, a consultant gastroenterologist, warned that until the water bodies recover and authorities deem the fish safe, it's best to avoid consuming them. Large, sluggish fish called Goonch Catfish, known for feeding on half-burnt corpses, have arrived in Bihar with floodwaters.

These fish, along with others, can potentially harbor harmful bacteria and viruses, posing a risk of food-borne illnesses. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, fever, and dehydration, particularly in vulnerable populations like children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. While cooking can reduce the risk of many bacteria and parasites, it doesn't eliminate all potential contaminants or toxins.

Dr Lad and Dr Zanwar emphasized that the safest course is to avoid eating fish caught from contaminated floodwaters until authorities confirm their safety.