Four family members have died from suspected food poisoning in Eruda community, Ilorin in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, who confirmed the incident at a press conference on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, said that the victims died after consuming Amala believed to contain poison.

El-Imam also disclosed that one death was recorded from Gastroenteritis.

According to her, the entire health team of the ministry visited the community after report of a family who lost a number of their relatives, after consumption of Lafun-Amala made from cassava flour.

On getting there, the claim was that there was a case of food poisoning where the 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,” she said.

El-Imam stated that the Amala made from Lafun could have been responsible for the death.

The commissioner explained further that the people who consumed yam flour without Lafun were fine.

“Those who consumed the mixture of both Lafun and Amala mixture fell ill and eventually some of them died,” she said.

She disclosed that several others are making good recovery in their hospitals where they are receiving treatment.

“Some are doing well and hopefully, following intensive medical treatment, should be able to recover fully. It was observed that the residence was in a location where personal and environmental hygiene was not really optimal.”

El-Imam stated that this is a case of chemical food poisoning, potentially due to under-processed cassava used in the production of Lafu.

“We have another four cases recovering at the moment, in addition, of course, to the four that we unfortunately lost.”

The commissioner disclosed 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 the state as a result of Gastroenteritis.

“The community had a few cases of stooling and vomiting, predominantly among children, of which, unfortunately, one life was lost,” she explained.

“On getting there, treatment was immediately commenced and all the affected patients have received immediate standard treatments to stop the symptoms and treat them and restore them to health,” she said.

El-Imam disclosed that the deceased is the index case who demonstrated this illness before it spread to others.

According to her, the disease was characterised 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.

“We are looking into providing them with more and better sources of potable water,” she added.