The Kwara State Government has confirmed the deaths of four individuals in the Eruda community, Olorun West Local Government Area, after consuming Amala, a popular local delicacy.
State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, revealed this at a news conference on Tuesday in Ilorin. She also reported another death due to gastroenteritis.
Following the incident, El-Imam stated that the state government had placed healthcare on Outbreak Response Mode.
“The entire health team of the ministry visited the community after receiving reports of a family that lost members after consuming yam flour,” El-Imam said.
“On arrival, it was claimed that a 70-year-old woman fell ill and died after eating Amala. Unfortunately, her son and grandchildren, who also consumed the same food, fell ill and died. They were taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital where they passed away,” she explained.
El-Imam suggested that the Amala with ‘Lafun’ might have been the cause of the deaths, noting that those who ate yam flour without Lafun were unaffected.
“However, those who consumed the mixture of Lafun and Amala fell ill, and some of them eventually died,” she stated.
The commissioner confirmed that survivors were receiving treatment in hospitals and showing signs of recovery.
“Some are doing well and, hopefully, following intensive medical treatment, they should recover fully,” El-Imam noted. She observed that the affected individuals lived in areas with suboptimal personal and environmental hygiene.
El-Imam attributed the incident to food poisoning caused by under-processed cassava used in meal preparation. She mentioned that an initial rapid diagnostic test for cholera was conducted, which later confirmed gastroenteritis.
Additionally, she reported one death from gastroenteritis in Osin Gada, Ilorin West Local Government Area. “The community experienced cases of stooling and vomiting, especially among children. The state’s disease reporting structure was alerted, and immediate treatment commenced,” she said.
The commissioner assured that the state government would provide the community with potable water to prevent future occurrences.
