The Kwara state Government has come up with outbreak control measures after four people were confirmed dead in Eruda community, Ilorin .
They had died after eating amala, a thick paste made from yam or cassava flour which is a common food in Yorubaland.
Dr. Amina El-Imam, who is the Kwara state Commissioner for Health, told reporters on Tuesday that the entire health team at the ministry visited the community after it was reported that a family lost four people after eating amala.
The health commissioner disclosed that those who died had combined lafun with elubo isu while those who did not do this but only chose one out of the two, did not fall ill. She noted that there may have been a contamination of the lafun during its production.
Some among those who also combined lafun with elubo isu are however, according to her, responding to treatment.
‘On getting there, the claim was that there was an instance of food poisoning where the 70 –year- old woman fell ill and died after eating Amala.
Unfortunately, her son and grandkids had also eaten the same food, fell ill and died. They were taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, where they passed away.
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.
We have another four cases recovering at the moment, in addition, of course, to the four that we unfortunately lost’ she said.
The commissioner also disclosed that an Initial Rapid Diagnostic Test was conducted on a suspected case of Cholera, which eventually turned out to be Gastroenteritis.
The deceased person , she added, was a resident of Osin Gada, Ilorin West Local Government.
‘The community had a few cases of stooling and vomiting, predominantly among children, of which, unfortunately, one life was lost.
The vomiting and stooling drew the attention of the state’s disease reporting structure.
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 also disclosed that the deceased person was the index case of the communicable disease
which had symptoms that include vomiting, diarrhea, and general abdominal pain among the patients.
She noted that those living in the area had poor personal and environmental hygiene adding that all efforts have been made to ensure that the disease is contained to the currently treated patients.
‘We are looking into providing them with more and better sources of potable water’ she said-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
