Bihar Government Issues Advisory Against Eating Unfamiliar Fish After Nepal Floods

The Bihar government has issued a public advisory asking people not to buy, sell or consume unfamiliar or unusual fish caught from floodwaters after the recent floods in Nepal.

The advisory comes after unfamiliar fish were reported in flood-affected parts of Bihar, particularly around the Gandak basin and districts including West Champaran and Gopalganj. Officials said fish swept through floodwaters can come into prolonged contact with sewage, dead animals, drains and other contaminants.

Why the warning was issued

According to Bihar's Animal and Fisheries Resources Department, floodwater can carry fish across large areas while exposing them to bacteria, viruses, fungi and other pathogens. Authorities have therefore advised residents to avoid consuming fish caught directly from floodwaters until water bodies and environmental conditions return to normal.

What residents should do

People have been asked not to assume an unfamiliar fish is safe simply because it resembles a commonly eaten species. Residents have also been advised not to buy or sell such fish and to report unusual fish sightings to the local fisheries authorities or administration.

Anyone who develops symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, dizziness or breathing difficulty after eating such fish should seek medical attention promptly.

The advisory is a precautionary public-health measure while officials assess the unfamiliar fish and the condition of flood-affected water bodies.