Yellow Oleander (Thevetia peruviana) Seed Poisoning (YOSP) in the Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka: Is related with Fruiting Season?
Madhura J1, Arulnithy K1, Mathiventhan U1, Mathiventhan T1
Citation : Madhura J, Arulnithy K, et.al, Yellow Oleander (Thevetia peruviana) Seed Poisoning (YOSP) in the Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka: Is related with Fruiting Season? International Journal of Research Studies in Biosciences 2016,4(8) : 8-13.
Yellow oleander seed poisoning (YOSP) has been reported as one of the means to commit suicide in Batticaloa district. This study was an attempt to find relation between the YOSP and fruiting season of yellow oleander. A total number of 1076 patients admitted due to YOSP during November 2011 to March 2016 (during 52 months). More than 80 % were females with the age range between 20 and 35 years. YOSP is higher during the dry season where the rainfall was below 400 mm during the study period and the admission was higher in May, every year. The study unable to establish a relationship between fruiting season of yellow oleander and the YOSP, because yellow oleander produces fruits throughout the year, irrespective of the dry and rainy seasons.