Kasur kheer poisoning: at least four of a family die near Kanganpur, samples sent to lab

At least four members of one family have died after eating home-made kheer at their house in Khankey, a hamlet across the Sutlej near Kanganpur in Chunian tehsil, Kasur district, Dawn reported on Thursday. ARY News, also reporting on Thursday, put the toll at five. The dead include the head of the family and his sons.

What happened

According to Dawn, five family members, the parents among them, fell sick a few days ago after eating the sweet dish at home. They complained of severe stomach pain and vomiting. Local sources told Dawn that the family first turned to faith healers instead of getting medical treatment.

The five were taken to Chunian Tehsil Headquarters Hospital on Tuesday, where one died. The four others were moved to Lahore General Hospital, where three died on Wednesday. Dawn says one survivor remains in critical condition there.

Both outlets report the family's account that a lizard fell into the pot while the kheer was being made and was removed before the dish was served. That has not been officially confirmed.

Investigation

Kanganpur police sent samples of the kheer to the Punjab Forensic Science Authority laboratory, and the report is awaited, Dawn said. Punjab Law Minister Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan has asked the Kasur deputy commissioner for a detailed report on the cause of the deaths.

What to do if you suspect food poisoning

• Go to hospital at once if anyone has severe stomach pain, repeated vomiting, diarrhoea with blood, confusion or drowsiness after a meal. In this case the family first turned to faith healers, Dawn's sources said.
• Throw away food that has been contaminated, even if the object was removed. Boiling does not make a spoiled dish safe.
• Keep a sample in a sealed container in the fridge; doctors and police may need it.
• Call Rescue 1122 in Punjab for an ambulance.

Families in Kasur and nearby towns can find the nearest major hospital on our hospitals in Lahore list.

Kheer, like other milk-based dishes, spoils quickly once it is left out, so leftovers belong in the fridge within two hours of cooking.

We will update this story when the forensic report is released.