Two Villupuram kids die after taking rat poison

PUDUCHERRY: Rat poison sold in packaging similar to toothpaste has claimed the lives of children through accidental poisoning, with two such incidents reported last month from JIPMER.Jothilakshmi (5) from Samathuvapuram in Villupuram district and Iyyappan (3) from Kallakurichy died after they accidentally mistook the rat poison sold under brand name ‘RATOL’  to brush their teeth.Jothilakshmi suffered liver damage and was admitted on February 10. She died two days later due to liver failure. Iyyappan admitted on Feb 27 also died two days later due to liver failure. He was referred by GH Mundiyampakkam, following four days of treatment, to JIPMER. There is no antidote to this poison, which is highly toxic and affects mainly the liver, brain, kidneys and respiratory system said Dr B Vishnu Bhat , Head of Department, JIPMER in a statement today. The poison which is fast absorbing damaged the organs of these children when they were brought and they could not breathe, he said .These two incidents have sent shock waves as there was an urgent need to prevent such avoidable tragedies. When licence for manufacture of the drug is given, it should be ensured that the poisonous product does not resemble items commonly used. The product should be sold in such a way that there is enough caution written clearly the product on usage and storage, he says.