By AMID hunger and hardship in Nigeria, six persons have been confirmed dead after eating cassava flour in Kogi State, Nigeria
However, Stonix News reports that the Kogi State government has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the six persons.
Ahmed Ododo
It was gathered that the incident occurred last Wednesday in a household in Anyoke, Okunchi Ward, Adavi Local Government Area of the state.
Reports say the eight victims were rushed to three different hospitals, where six of them passed due to multiple organ failure.
The two surviving victims have since been discharged.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, AbdulAzzez Adeiza, visited the survivors before they were discharged.
He said that a special team consisting of state and World Health Organisation’s officials, including the Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer, and local health officials, has been deployed to investigate the incident.
“Samples of the cassava flour have been collected for toxicological analysis in collaboration with the state Ministry of Agriculture.
“The Kogi State government has taken responsibility for the victims’ medical bills and will release the final toxicology report to the public.
“The government expresses its gratitude to healthcare workers for their unwavering dedication and efforts in saving the lives of the two surviving victims.
“A thorough case investigation would be conducted, which would involve engaging with community leaders and neighbours, assessing environmental sanitation conditions, and evaluating the water source.
“Thankfully, no additional cases of watery stooling or vomiting have been reported in the household or community,” he stated.
The Kogi State Ministry of Health also thanked the community for its cooperation.
It urged people of the state to prioritise healthy living, remain vigilant, and promptly report any suspicious findings to appropriate quarters.
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