Police in a town are currently looking into five troubling incidents involving rat poisoning, with one of the victims being a child. These incidents are isolated among three families residing in the same neighborhood, and there is no apparent connection to food establishments.
Recently, five individuals were hospitalized in different medical facilities, raising concerns that they may have consumed contaminated takeaway food. Medical professionals suspect that the victims were exposed to brodifacoum, a common ingredient in rat poison that disrupts blood clotting by interfering with vitamin K.
Symptoms of brodifacoum poisoning may manifest after several days and can be severe, including bleeding gums, easy bruising, labored breathing, and blood in urine and stool. In extreme cases, ingestion of brodifacoum can be fatal, with a lethal dose estimated at around 15mg per kg of body weight.
These incidents occurred in Brisbane, Australia, with the affected individuals receiving treatment at Logan and Princess Alexandra hospitals. Authorities have indicated that there is no evidence linking the poisoning to any specific food outlets.
Health officials are collaborating with the police to investigate these cases further, although they do not currently suspect foul play. They are conducting interviews to establish connections between the victims. While no new cases have been reported, healthcare providers have been advised to watch for patients exhibiting unexplained bleeding symptoms.
As investigations continue, Queensland police are working alongside health authorities to delve deeper into the matter. If you have any information to share, please contact julia.banim@reachplc.com.
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