Six die after eating cassava flour meal in Kogi

• The Kogi State Government confirmed the incident and has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths

Six persons have lost their lives after eating cassava flour in Kogi State.

The incident reportedly occurred last Wednesday in a household in Anyoke, Okunchi Ward, Adavi Local Government Area of the state.

According to a report, eight people ate the meal and were rushed to hospital where six of them eventually passed away due to multiple organ failure.

The two surviving victims have since been discharged.

The Kogi State Government confirmed the incident and has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The state Commissioner for Health, AbdulAzzez Adeiza, who visited the survivors before their discharge, stated that the state government has cleared their hospital bills.

He disclosed that a specialised 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 outbreak.

He said, “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.”

The Kogi State Ministry of Health also thanked the community for its cooperation and urged everyone to prioritise healthy living, remain vigilant, and promptly report any suspicious findings.

This is the third case of people dying after consuming certain food in two weeks.

Last week, a mother and her three children died after consuming pap in Anambra State.

In Kwara State, four people also lost their lives on Monday after reportedly eating amala, a staple.