By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Government has placed the State’s healthcare on ‘Outbreak Response Mode’ following four deaths in Eruda community in Ilorin, as a result of food poisoning from Amala and another death from Gastroenteritis.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam disclosed this at a press conference on Tuesday in Ilorin.

According to her, the entire health team of the Ministry visited the community after report of a family who lost a number of their relatives, after consumption of Lafun-Amala.

She said: “On getting there, the claim was that there was an instance of food poisoning where a 70 year old woman fell ill and died after consuming Amala.

“Unfortunately, her son and grandkids also consumed the same food, fell ill and died. They were taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, where they passed away.”

El-Imam stated that the Amala made from Lafun could have been responsible for the death because those who consumed yam flour without Lafun were fine, adding that others are making good recovery in hospitals they were taken to for treatment.

“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,” she said.

El-Imam added that this was a case of chemical food poisoning, potentially due to under processed cassava used in the production of Lafun.

“We have another four cases recovering at the moment, in addition, of course, to the four that we unfortunately lost,” she lamented.