Food poisoning deaths hit Malawian family: 5 killed, 11 critical

At least five people, including a toddler, have been confirmed dead while eleven others are in hospital in critical conditions in the southern Malawi district of Balaka following suspected food poisoning.

“A family slaughtered a goat which was taken with pigeon peas on Thursday last week,” said Balaka District Health spokesman Samson Mfuyeni.

Mfuyeni said immediately after the meal the family started convulsions and vomiting.

“They were rushed to the Balaka District Hospital where a three-year-old baby died immediately. Two others died on Friday, another on Saturday and a woman also died yesterday (Sunday,” he said.

The health spokesman said the eleven that are still in hospital are in a critical condition.

“We suspect food poisoning, either the goat or the pigeon peas. We have taken samples to be analysed,” he said.

The Malawi incident follows the death of at least 50 people across the border in Mozambique who died after taking local beer at a funeral suspected to be laced with crocodile poison.

Balaka is a drought-prone district which perennially runs out of food by January. Many families scavenge for food in bushes during that time.

The Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee, which comprises government and United Nations Agencies, say over a million people already require emergency food aid across the southern African country.

 

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thandizo msikiti
thandizo msikiti
9 years ago

R.i.p

edyth
edyth
9 years ago

R.i.p so bad

Redeemed
Redeemed
9 years ago

I barely believe in coincidences, howcome does two similar incidences happen to occur in two neighboughring countries at almost simultaneously, we read of toxic alcohol which has claimed the lives of over sixty people in Tete while scores are fighting for their lived in hospital, and just few kilometers away, this incident, I can’t help but to wonder if the perpetrators are not related, I suggest the government does not rule out possibilities of these two incidences being connected, just a thought of cause.

mthakati
mthakati
9 years ago

Word of caution, Nyasatimes reporters. Do some investigative reporting and not just write what you are told. Food poisoning takes place when contaminated food, or mishandled food is consumed and the cause can be bacterial, viral or toxins produced by bacteria. This case smells of foul play. Someone deliberately poisoned these people using a neurotoxic poison. Please investigate, or no one else will!

chandiona
chandiona
9 years ago

why killing people like that this is not boko halam!

Nyamata wakwa Mayaka
Nyamata wakwa Mayaka
9 years ago

very bad news

Ayami Hussein
9 years ago

May their souls rest in peace

isaac clife Donard
9 years ago

God knows!!!and he will judge jst a sigle day wait we shall see…..

Kikikiki
Kikikiki
9 years ago

Last time it was in Tete Province where more than 58 people died from poisoned Pombe to entertain people at the funeral ceremony. It’s allerged the poison was of crocodile bile. Poor my beloved Africa.

zion
9 years ago

Our sympathies to the believed families.

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