Acute accidental mass poisoning by Jatropha curcas in Agra, North India

Abstract

Jatropha curcas is a flowering, deciduous and poisonous plant. It is commonly found growing throughout the tropical & sub tropical regions of world particularly in India. Accidental poisoning due to its fruits & seeds has been reported in remote and tribal areas, invariably among children who often fail to recognize it. Sporadic cases often remain unreported, misdiagnosed or neglected; usually it is mass calamities which came to attention. Presented here is an unfortunate incident of mass poisoning, where some people (mostly children) consumed jatropha fruits & seeds mistaking them for edible sunflower seeds. Victims were hospitalized, promptly managed and recuperated successfully.

Keywords

• Mass poisoning
• Children
• Jatropha curcas
• Crucin
• Cyanic acid
• India