At least four persons have died from food poisoning while another one died from gastroenteritis in Ilorin the Kwara State capital.
The four victims who were residents of the Eruda Community in Ilorin Kwara State capital died after consuming cassava flour, a local delicacy popularly called Amala lafun.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam confirmed the sad incidents Tuesday evening, saying the government has placed the healthcare on “Outbreak Response Mode’ after confirmation of four deaths in Eruda community, as a result of food poisoning from ‘amala ‘ and one death from gastroenteritis.
She noted that on getting to the affected community, the claim was that there was an instance of food poisoning where a 70 year old woman fell ill and died after consuming Amala.
Unfortunately, her son and grandkids also consumed the same food, fell ill and died. They were taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, where they passed away.
El-Imam further maintained that the Amala made from Lafun could have been responsible for their death.
She maintained that the people who consumed yam flour without Lafun were fine, however those who consumed the mixture of both Lafun and Amala mixture fell ill and eventually some of them died.
The commissioner however disclosed that several others are making good recovery in their hospitals where they are receiving treatment.
El-Imam stated that this is a case of chemical food poisoning, potentially due to under processed cassava used in the production of Lafun.
The Health Commissioner also said there are another four cases recovering at the moment, in addition to the four that were unfortunately lost.
Similarly, the commissioner hinted that an Initial Rapid Diagnostic Test was conducted on the suspected case of Cholera, which turned out to be Gastroenteritis.
She explained that one death was recorded at Osin Gada, in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State as a result of Gastroenteritis.
El-Imam disclosed that the deceased is the index case who demonstrated this illness before it spread to others.
According to her, the diseases was characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, and general abdominal pain among the patients.
She pointed out that personal and environmental hygiene of the area was not optimal, adding that all efforts have been done to ensure the disease is contained to the currently treated patients.