The Kwara State Government has placed its healthcare system on Outbreak Response Mode following the death of a 70-year-old grandmother, her son, and two other family members after consuming a poisoned Amala meal in the Eruda community, Ilorin West Local Government Area.
The state’s Commissioner of Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, confirmed the tragic incident during a press conference in Ilorin on Tuesday. She stated that the deaths were linked to the consumption of Amala believed to contain poison.
Dr. El-Imam explained that the health ministry’s team visited the community after reports emerged about the family’s fatalities following the consumption of Lafun-Amala made from cassava flour. She said, “The claim was that there was an instance of food poisoning where the 70-year-old woman fell ill and died after consuming Amala. Unfortunately, her son and grandchildren also consumed the same food, fell ill, and died. They were taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital where they passed away.”
The commissioner noted that the Amala made from Lafun could have been responsible for the deaths, as those who consumed the yam flour without Lafun did not fall ill. “Those who consumed the mixture of both Lafun and Amala fell ill and eventually, some of them died,” she said.
Dr. El-Imam reported that several others who consumed the meal are recovering in hospitals. “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 optimal,” she added.
The commissioner identified the case as chemical food poisoning, potentially due to under-processed cassava used in making Lafun. “We have another four cases recovering at the moment, in addition to the four that we unfortunately lost,” she lamented.
Additionally, Dr. El-Imam disclosed that an initial Rapid Diagnostic Test on a suspected cholera case turned out to be gastroenteritis. One death was recorded at Osin Gada, also in Ilorin West Local Government Area, due to gastroenteritis.
“The community had a few cases of stooling and vomiting, predominantly among children, of which, unfortunately, one life was lost,” she said. The state’s disease reporting structure drew attention to the vomiting and stooling incidents. Upon arrival, treatment was commenced immediately for all affected patients, restoring them to health.
Dr. El-Imam stated that the deceased was the index case, displaying symptoms before the disease spread to others. She described the illness as characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, and general abdominal pain among the patients. Efforts are being made to improve personal and environmental hygiene in the affected area and to provide better sources of potable water.
