– Government responds to food poisoning, Gastroenteritis outbreak
From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Kwara State Government has activated its Outbreak Response Mode following recent health crises in Eruda community, Ilorin in Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state.
Four deaths have been confirmed due to food poisoning linked to the consumption of Amala, while one person has died from Gastroenteritis.
Dr. Amina El-Imam, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, revealed the details during a press briefing in Ilorin. She explained that the health team visited the affected community after receiving reports of multiple fatalities in a family that consumed Lafun-Amala.
Dr. El-Imam recounted that a 70-year-old woman became ill and died after eating the Amala. Her son and grandchildren, who also consumed the same food, fell ill and later died at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. The commissioner indicated that the Lafun component of the Amala might have been responsible for the food poisoning.
She noted that individuals who consumed yam flour without Lafun did not experience any health issues, suggesting the problem was specific to the Lafun-Amala mixture. Several patients are recovering in hospitals, and the community’s poor hygiene practices may have contributed to the outbreak.
The commissioner classified the incident as chemical food poisoning, likely due to under-processed cassava used in the Lafun. Additionally, Dr. El-Imam reported four other cases recovering from similar symptoms.
In a separate case, an Initial Rapid Diagnostic Test on suspected Cholera cases in Osin Gada, Ilorin West Local Government Area, identified the illness as Gastroenteritis. One death was recorded, primarily affecting children with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.
Efforts are being made to improve personal and environmental hygiene in the area, and the government is working to provide better access to clean water.
