Vijayawada, May 18, 2020: A family of four has been hospitalized in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh after they consumed a juice they believed would protect them from Covid-19.
The family that lives in Pallamalli village in Cheemakurthy Mandal of Prakasam district learned from the social media platform of Ticktock that the juice made of Datura seeds will save them from contracting the coronavirus.
They drank the juice and fell ill on May 16. Their condition is stable now.
According to information, 52-year-old Kantlam Suseela alias Suseelamma reportedly watched a video on TikTok that suggested the datura seed, which is toxic, could act as a deterrent to the virus, especially for the elderly and children.
She then allegedly encouraged her son K Tirupathi, his wife K Santhamma and their three-year-old daughter to follow the tip. She collected the seeds, crushed them and prepared the juice.
The four drank the juice before breakfast on May 16, and immediately they developed vomiting and giddiness. Their neighbors took them to a private nursing home.
Doctor Venkateswara Rao, who treated the victims, said the health condition of the four is stable. They had shown signs of giddiness and vomiting.
“We were informed that they had consumed datura seeds after watching a video on TikTok. The seeds are toxic and will have an undesirable impact on the nervous and metabolic systems,” the medical officer explained.
Rao said the woman was carried away by the false information that datura seeds would miraculously improve immunity among the elderly and children against Covid-19.
He advised the villagers not to believe in all the social media posts promoting unscientific ways of either curing or acting as a protective shield from the virus.
Source: newindianexpress.com