Bihar govt warns against eating 'unusual' fish carried by Nepal floodwaters

Fish carried into Bihar by floodwaters from Nepal may be unsafe to eat, the state government has warned. Residents have been asked to avoid catching, buying, selling or consuming such fish until conditions improve.

The advisory comes after flash floods in Nepal sent water from the Trishuli River into Bihar through the Gandak and Kosi rivers. Rising water levels have brought unfamiliar fish into some flood-hit parts of the state. The advisory also refers to reports of people falling ill after eating those fish.

“Information has been received that unknown and unusual types of fish have reached some areas of Bihar along with flood water from Nepal. There have also been reports of some people falling ill after consuming such fish,” stated the advisory issued by the Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources Department of Bihar.

Contamination risk in fish

It further stated that floodwater can carry fish out of ponds, rivers, lakes and other water bodies, adding that the fish may then come into contact with polluted drains and dead animals.

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“During floods, fish from many ponds, rivers, lakes and water bodies come out and spread far and wide with the water. These fish become contaminated with bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc., due to continuous contact with dirty drains, dead animals, carcasses, etc. Consumption of these fish is harmful to health. Until the environment stabilises and dirt and disease-causing agents are naturally eliminated, do not use fish caught from flood water,” stated the advisory.

People told to avoid unknown fish

The department has asked people to avoid unknown or unusually appearing fish, adding that fish caught from floodwater should not be bought, sold or used as food. It further stated that unfamiliar fish should not be treated as edible without identification and confirmation from the concerned department.

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According to the advisory, anyone who develops vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, dizziness, breathing difficulty or other unusual symptoms after eating such fish should immediately seek medical advice at the nearest health centre or hospital.

Residents asked to report such fish

The advisory also asks residents to report information about such fish to the concerned District Fisheries Officer or local administration.

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